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TllEATISE 

ON 

CONTAINING, 

AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  ALKALINE  MATERL\L5  5 

TEST  FOP.  DISCOVERING  THE  PRESENCE 
OF  AN  ALKALI,  &cc. 

WITH 

Ful/  Directions  for  Manufacturing 
YELLOW,  PURE,  WHITE,  AND  PERFUMED 
HAPvD  SOAP: 

ALSO, 

Complete  Instructions  for 
THE  MAKING  OF  GREEN  OR  SOFT  SOAP: 

With  Other  Requisites  necesscirij  to  fnish  th^ 
SOAP-BOILER. 

Tq  which  is  added, 
ABSTRACTS  OF  THE  EXCISE  LAWS  RELATIVE 
to  HARD  AND  SOFT  SOAP-MAKERS. 


BT  A  MANUFACTURER. 


Permit  not  Poverty  thy  abodes  t'  invade  : 
Be  gold  expedient— 3tudy  well  thy  trade. 
Trust  not  yourself,  but  your  defects  to  know  : 
Make  use  of  ev'ry  friend— —and  ev'ry  foe. 
Be  niggards  of  advice  on  no  pretence  ; 
JHH^^^For  the  worst  avarice  is  that  of  sense.  POPE. 

EDINBURGH : 

PRINTED  BY  OLIVER  &  CO.  METiIERBOW. 

1S07. 


TO  THE  READER. 


THE  author  of  the  following  Treatise  would 
request  the  favour^  that  his  intentions  in 
producing  this  small^  but,  he  trusts,  useful 

piece,  mat)  be  candidly  imputed  to  his  own 
real  motives,  viz.  an  endeavour  of  being  use-' 
fid  to  a  large  proportion  of  his  Brethren  in 
Trade,  and  not  to  an  ostentatious  show  of 
exhibiting  either  his  own  abilities  or  educa- 
tion. Sensible  of  his  defciency  in  both,  he 
humbly  solicits,  that  the  indulgent  reader  ivill 
have  the  goodness  to  take  an  opportunity  of 
annoying  any  inaccuracies  or  mistakes 
a  2 


iv 

herein  apparent  to  his  conception,  xvhich  shall 
in  due  time  be  taken  into  consideration^  rec-- 
tijied^  and  the  favour  gratejully  acknow- 
ltdged.  Had  this  been  the  production  of 
what  is  denominafcd  a  scholar,  or  man  of 
education,  much  room  might  have  been 
found  for  exhibit ing  flowers  of  rhetoric  and 
(f  learned  philosophical  explanations.  So 
muchy  indeed^  a  display  of  these  talents 
might  have  been  exercised,  as  to  render  the 
book  of  more  extensive  magnitude^  buf^  at 
the  same  time^  obscure  and  unintelligible  to 
the  very  class  for  whose  instruction  and  in- 
formation it  is  principally  intended,  JVrote 
by  a  tradesman^  for  the  particular  behoof  of 
tradesmen:,  all  tecliuical  terms  are  therefore 
carefully  avoided;  or^  where  such  do  ne-- 
cessarily  occur ^  an  illustration  generally  sue-- 
ceeds.    That  this  book  may  prove  ^eful^, 


Y 

will  much  depend  upon  the  serious  attention 
and  strict  observance  of  the  matter  therein 
laid  dorm.  The  importance  of  its  contents 
will  iuore  readily  be  discovered  by  those  who 
have  travelled  a  little  in  the  path  already^ 
and  have  espied  the  darkness  and  dangers  of 
fhe  road.  That  great  light  may  be  thrown 
upon  the  subject^  is  the  earnest  wish  and 
sincere  desire  of 

THE  AUTHOR. 
a5 


PREFACE. 


IT  may  appear  something  strange,  that 
notwithstanding  the  numerous  volumes 
hitherto  pubUshed  upon  the  different 
Arts,  Sciences,  and  Manufactures,  no 
practical  account  of  Soap-makiintg  have 
as  yet  reached  the  eye  of  the  Public. 
What  this  niav  be  owing  to,  seem  ra- 
ther  difficult  to  account  for  :  it  may  be, 
that  those  few^  possessed  of  tlie  secret^ 
from  a  parsimonious,  contracted,  or 
selfish  disposition,  consider  themselves 


Ylll 


justly  entitled  to  preserve,  exclusively, 
that  which  have  cost  them,  perhaps, 
much  time,  expeiice,  and  trouble,  to 
acquire.  Anothei',  and  more  favour- 
able reason,  however,  may  be  alleged  ; 
that  amongst  these  few,  none  have  been 
urged  by  that  degree  of  confidence  in 
their  own  abilities,  svifficient  to  induce 
them  to  set  about  a  work  in  itself  so 
mysterious  and  uncorrimon.  Be  that  as 
it  may,  the  author  of  the  following  pages 
could  seriously  have  wished  that  this 
task  had  fortunately  fallen  to  the  lot  of 
some  other  person  much  better  quali- 
fied than  himself.  Tiie  idea,  however, 
of  retaining  from  our  fellow-creatures 
that  knov/ledge  which  the  Great  Dis- 
poser of  all  good  have  been  pleased  to 
lend  us,  on!y,  is  a  notion  so  contrary 


ix 

to  the  benevolent  rules  of  Christianity, 
which  is,  To  do  good  and  to  communicate^ 
that  the  author  feels  himself  peculiarly 
happy  in  having  it  in  his  power  to  obey 
so  far  the  sacred  injunctions,  as  with 
pleasure  to  comniunicate  to  others  what 
they  may  stand  in  need  of,  or  to  the 
extent  of  his  abilities  bestow. 

To  obtain  the  knowledge  necessary 
to  complete  a  Soap-maker^  must  at  all 
times  be  attended  with  a  very  consider- 
able expence,  besides  the  consumption 
of  a  large  portion  of  time.  No  expe- 
rienced Soap-boiler  would  consider  it  at 
all  worth  his  attention,  to  undertake  the 
instructing,  in  the  fundamental  principles 
of  the  art,  any  person  under  a  premium 
of  One  Hundred  Guineas,  besides  the 
benefit  of  the  person's  labour  spent  in 


X 

t 

the  acquirement.  Common  appren- 
tices to  soap-makersj  acquire  their 
knowledge  from  ocular  demonstration 
only  :  they  see  how  to  prepare  the  ma- 
terials, mix  them  together,  set  a  cave, 
draw  off  and  collect  the  leys  therefrom, 
boil  the  same  with  tallow  in  the  soap- 
pan  : — the  event  ultimately  is  the  pro- 
duction of  soap. 

Tliey  may  aiso  be  instructed,  under 
tlie  eye  of  their  master,  or  the  boiler, 
occasionally,  to  finish  a  soap-pan.  This 
last  indulgence  naturally  creates  in  the 
apprentice,  perhaps  nearly  out  of  his 
time,  an  impressive  idea  of  his  own 
finishing,  or  completion  in  the  art  of 
his  trade.  How  wonderfully  mistaken, 
however,  many  such  have  found  them- 
selves, when  afterwards  entrusted  with 


the  sole  charge  and  management  of  a 
soap-work,  I  shall  leave  to  their  own 
ingenuous  bosoms  to  declare.  I  well 
know  from  experience  what  I  have  just 
advanced  to  be  a  positive  fact. 

The  following  Treatise,  therefore,  I 
consider  as  a  handsome  and  valuable 

present  to  Soap-makers  in  general  

Any  person  possessing  the  means,  and 
having  an  inclination  to  become  Soap- 
maker,  may,  with  this  book  before 
him,  proceed  immediately  to  work, 
without  danger  of  going  wrong,  provid- 
ed always  the  rules  and  directions  there- 
in inculcated  be  most  scrupulously  at- 
tended to. 

I  have  commenced,  in  order,  at  the 
very  first  principles  of  the  profession, 
as  supposing  the  reader  totally  ignorant 


xii 

of  soap  and  its  combiirations,  by  giv- 
ing a  short  account  of  the  principal  aU 
haUne  materials  niost  universally  made 
use  of  in  the  manufacturing  of  soap, 
and  how  they  are  to  be  treated,  in  or- 
der to  extract  therefrom  the  lej^s,  or 
alkaline  salts. 

Secondlyy  I  have  pointed  out  how  the 
hard  materials  may  be  analysed,  oi-  ex- 
amined, in  order  to  detect  sand  in  their 
composition. 

I  next  proceed  to  consider  the  leys, 
and  to  shew  how  they  are  to  be  weigh- 
ed, and  proved  v/ith  regard  to  their 
strength,  mildness,  and  causticity  ;  con- 
sequently, to  determine  whether  tliey 
are,  or  are  not,  fit  for  making  soap. 

After  which  I  come,  in  course,  to 
charge  the  pan,  preparatory  to  a  niak- 


Xlll 

ing  of  Yellow  Hard  Soap,  the  opera- 
tion of  which  is  gone  through  in  the 
most  minute  manner,  explaining,  as  I 
proceed,  every  thing  that  may  appear 
any  ways  dark  to  the  understanding  of 
a  young  beginner. 

An  operation  of  White  Hard  Soap, 
with  the  same  peculiar  minuteness,  is 
also  proceeded  in,  and  described,  with 
the  grand  secret  of  finishing  for  Pure 
White  Soap,  and  how  to  scent  or  per- 
fume the  same. 

It  is  also  shovni,  how  the  perfume 
may  be  at  an  easy  rate  procured  ;  with 
the  method  of  preparing  the  Test  for 
discovering  the  existence  of  an  alkali 
in  any  liquid  body. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  observa-- 
tions  on  hard  Soap,  is  inserted  Two 
b 


xiv 

Experiments  accurately  made  on  White 
Soap,  upon  a  small  scale,  with  a  Cal- 
culation of  the  Expence,  Profit,  &c,  at- 
tending the  same ;  and  a  Table,  shew- 
ing at  one  view  the  neat  Amount  of 
Duties  to  be  paid  to  the  Excise  on  any 
number  of  inches  in  the  frame,  from 
one  to  one  hundred,  and  by  which  any 
other  quantity,  or  number  of  inches, 
may  be  discovered. 

For  the  benefit  of  those  who  may  not 
be  acquainted  with  casting  up  the  same, 
a  specimen  of  the  work  is  also  sub- 
joined. 

I  then  enter  upon  the  operation  of 
Soft  Soapy  exhibiting  and  explaining  se- 
veral makings  as  they  actually  took 
place,  with  descriptions  of  leys,  &c. 


XV 

By  way  of  xVppendix,  and  what  is 
most  essentially  necessary  for  every 
Soapmaker  to  be  intimately  acquainted 
with,  I  have  selected  Abstracts  of  the 
principal  Laws  of  Excise,  peculiar  to 
Hard  and  Soft  Soap-makers  : — The 
whole  comprising  a  complete  System 
of  Soap-making,  comprehending  every 
thing  needful  in  the  trade  for  the  Soap- 
boiler to  be  informed  of. 

The  Author  has  only  further  to  ob- 
serve, that  in  prosecuting  his  business 
as  a  Soap-maker,  he  was  uniformly  in 
the  practice,  from  an  early  period,  of 
taking  down  notes  in  writing  of  every 
particular,  or  uncommon  circumstance, 
that  appeared  to  him  material,  in  the 
course  of  his  operations. 


xvi 

These  remarks,  for  his  further  satis- 
faction, he  from  time  to  time  submit- 
ted to  trial,  by  various  experiments  upon 
a  small  scale  :  And  by  thus  persevering, 
he  flatters  himself  to  have  acquired  a 
tolerable  knowledge  of  the  different  phe- 
nomena so  universally  attendant  on,  and 
inseparably  connected  with,  the  process  - 
of  Soap-niaking  ;  thereby  rendering  the 
whole  at  once  clear,  plain,  and  compre- 
hensive. 

In  reviewing  of  late  his  jottings,  he 
was  forcibly  impressed  with  this  idea, 
viz.  that  these  remarks  and  observa- 
tions, being  the  result  of  above  five- 
and-twenty  years  practical  experience^ 
might  be  of  advantage,  if  made  public, 
to  the  generality  of  his  Brethren  in 
Trade,  especially  those  who  have  not 


xvii 

had  an  opportunity  of  being  properly 
instructed  in  the  fundamental  principles 
of  Soap-making. 

These  principles  the  Author  considers 
to  be  a  thorough  knowledge  of  the  na-^ 
ture  and  quaUties  of  the  original  mate- 
rials, leys,  8zc.  used  in  the  manufactory. 
It  may  in  general  be  observed,  that  all 
bodies  possessing  a  fixed  alkalme  salt, 
may  be  rendered  useful  in  the  making  of 
Soap ;  but  the  chief,  and  what  is  com- 
monly resorted  to,  are  the  following, 
viz*  Kelp,  Barilla,  American  and  St 
Peterburg,  Pot  and  Pearl  Ashes, 
Dantzic,  English,  &c.  ;  with  a  short 
Account  of  which,  from  the  best  au- 
thorities, we  shall  commence  this  Trea- 
tise, and  conclude  the  whole  with  a  brief 
Dissertation  on  Spoiled  Hard  Soap,  &c. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 


Adbress  to  the  Reader.,.,,..,  «•  .....viii 

Preface  •••  •••  vii 

Treatise  on  hard  and  soft  soap-making,. 13 

Different  kinds  of  alkalis...  .,.16 

The  two  great  divisions  of  salts  20 

Method  of  depriving  them  of  their  fixed  air  21 

Alkaline  salts  for  the  use  of  the  soap-boiler, 

how  obtained.  ,  ibid. 

Kelp,  how  made,  and  what  esteemed  best  ibid. 

Ditto,  used  as  a  manure,  and  for  feeding  cat- 
tle, hogs,  &c  •  «...  22 

Ditto,  the  ashes  of,  used  as  salt  for  new  cheese  23 

Barilla,  where  and  how  made.,..  24 

Gazul,  soza,  and  salicor,  ditto  ••,.,<,••,«,, 2 (3 


XX 

Page 

Pot-ash,  how  prepared  •  29 

Process  for  detecting  sand  in  alkaline  materials  31 

Blue  and  white  pearl  ashes  33 

Russia  and  Muscovy  ashes,  Cashub  ditto  ..•34 

Marcoft  ashes....  «  35 

Preparation  for  setting  a  cave,  or  vat  37 

Setting  ditto  ,  39 

Test  for  discovering  the  presence  of  an  alkali 

in  any  liquid  substance.  42 

Examination  of  leys,  to  discover  their  quality 

with  regard  to  mildness  or  causticity  ..44 

Comparative  strength  betwixt  one  ley  and 

another  discovered  •  •••..47 

Weight  of  spring  water  and  strong  soap-ley 

contrasted*.  •  49 

Concise  and  accurate  method  to  ascertain  the 

strength  of  soap-leys  .......ibid. 

Only  one  alkaline  principle  in  nature  51 

Excisemen  become  soap-boilers....  52 

A  charge  for  yellow  soap..........  53 

Boiling  and  finishing  ditto  55 

Palm  oil  used  therein.,  •»•.••..•••••••....... 37 


xxi 

Page 

Charge  for  pure  white  soap,  and  process  58 

Finishing  ditto  •    59 

To  prepare  the  scent  for  perfumed  or  Windsor 

soap  •  •  •••••  63 

The  weights  and  measures  to  be  understood 

throughout  the  work  »  m,.6§ 

Table  for  casting  up  the  dip  of  a  soap  frame, 

from  one  inch  to  one  hundred,  &c  71 

Examples  of  working  the  same  by  hot  and 

cold  area  .••.•...72 

Glass  hydrometer  to  ascertain  the  weight  of 

leys  •  •  •  ..74 

A  charge  for  1st  crown  soft  soap  .••••••••••76 

Proportions,  and  operation  of  making  ditto..,. ibid. 

A  charge  for  2d  crown,  and  operation. •  80 

A  charge  for  common  soft  soap,  with  old  soap 

returned  •  •  •  .••  81 

General  observations  necessary  to  be  attended 

to  by  the  operator  •  • .  8  3 

Experiment  to  ascertain  the  expence  of  white 

soap-making  ••••••  ..•••••  87 

Calculation  thereof.f,,,*  .•t».»«it.,.»,«tt,,t.9l 

c 


xxii 

page 

Appendix  ,...99 

Short  dissertation  on  spoiled  hard  soap,  cause 

and  remedy  ,  ..ibid. 

Dr  Black's  method  of  preparing  a  soap-ley  ..••107 

Abridoment  of  Excise  Laws  *  lis 

Allowance  for  spoiled  soap,  cuttings,  &c.  ••••..113 

Ditto  for  hard  soap  (only)  repealed.....  ....115 

Legal  frames  for  hard  soap  ,  116 

Legal  casks  for  soft  soap...  ••..•••.117 

Act  to  prevent  making  soap  in  secret  places....  118 
.  Who  are  not  qualified  to  make  soap,  though 

making  entry  •  •••••..  ••119 

Act  Geo.  III.,  being  the  last  general  statute 
relating  to  hard  soap,  and  comprehending 
most  of  the  former  laws  applicable  to  that 
article       «cf  e  tf*«fiti*  #••••##•»  «ttf«ft»ttif««f  Iff  121 


A 


TREATISE 

ON 

HARD  8{  SOFT  SOAP- MAKING. 


ALTHOUGH  it  is  not  absolutely  needful 
that  soap-makers  should  know  where^  and 
huw^  their  materials  are  originally  produced  ; 
yet  it  is  essentially  so,  that  he  be  acquaint- 
ed with  what  is  more  intimately  connected 
with  his  own  real  interest ;  that  is,  how  to 
detect  frauds  therein  when  made,  and  be 

enabled  to  judge  of  the  strength,  quahty, 
B 


14 


and  fitness  of  such  materials  for  his  purpose, 
when  prepared  and  brought  to  market. 

These  necessary  precautions  known,  will 
guard  the  manufacturer  at  all  times  against 
every  imposition,  whether  attempted  in  qua- 
lity or  price. 

To  obtain  a  perfect  knowledge,  or  as 
much  information  with  regard  to  alkaline 
salts  as  possible,  ought  to  be  the  principal 
study  of  the  soap-boiler.  The  whole  art  of 
the  trade,  the  sole  prospect  of  aggrandise- 
ment, depends  upon,  and  must  accrue  from 
such  knowledge  well  digested. 

As  the  making  of  soap  is  the  avowed 
purpose  of  this  Treatise  to  explain,  the  do- 
ing so,  by  barely  exhibiting  the  method  of 
treating  the  materials  in  a  soap-work,  pre- 
paratory for  using  ;  of  charging,  boiling,  and 
finishing  a  pan  of  soap,  only,  would  be  do- 
ing nothing  ;  would  be  communicating  no 
more  information  than  any  laboring  man, 


15 


with  a  small  degree  of  attention,  in  one  of 
those  works,  may  soon  be  master  of.  To 
complete  the  soap-maker,  a  far  different^ 
and  more  extensive  degree  of  knowledge  is 
necessary.  An  intimate  acquaintance  with 
the  alkaline  materials,  and  their  consequents, 
tlie  leys,  ought  to  be  attentively  cultivated, 
so  ats  to  be  rendered  perfectly  familiar ;  the 
nature,  strength,  quality,  and  fitness  of  such 
reduced  to  a  demonstration,  clear  and  simple. 
After  these  necessary  acquirements  are  sub- 
-stantiated,  soap-making,  with  the  various 
j>henomena  incident  thereto,  will  become 
exceedingly  plain,  easy,  and  comprehensive. 
We  shall  therefore  commence  this  treatise, 
by  giving  a  short  explanation,  by  way  of 
introduction,  of  the  different  alkalis,  with 
their  source  of  production ;  avoiding  all  ex- 
trafr^ous  or  useless  matter,  that  could  only 
serve  to  swell  the  book,  without  communi- 


eating  any  thing  of  importance  to  the  soap- 
i  boiler- 

^  Alkalis  are  of  two  kinds,  fixed  and  vola" 
"  hile.  The  Jixed  kind  are  subdivided  into 
two^  thfe  vegetable^  and  mineral  or  fossile 
alkali.  The  vegetable  is  so  called,  because 
it  is  procured  from  the  ashes  of  burnt  vege- 
tables ;  the  fossile,  because  it  is  found  na- 
tive in  some  places  of  the  earth,  and  is  the 
basis  of  sea-salt,  and,  in  other  parts,  is  dug 
out  of  mines  in  vast  quantities. 

They  are  called  Jixed,  because  they  en- 
dure a  very  intense  degree  of  heat  without 
being  dissipated  in  vapour,  so  as  even  to 
form  a  part  of  the  composition  of  glass. 

The  volatile  alkali  is  generally  obtained 
by  distillation  from  animal  substances.  In 
its  pure  state,  this  alkali  is  perfectly  invi- 
sible, but  aflfects  the  sense  of  smelling  to 
such  a  degree  as  not  to  be  approached  with 
safety. 


If 

The  acids  and  alkalis  ate  generally  thought 
to  be  entirely  opposite  in  their  nature  to  one 
another. 

Some,  however,  imagine  them  to  be  ex- 
tremely similar,  and  to  be  as  it  were  parts 
of  one  substance  violently  taken  from  each 
other.  Certain  it  is,  that,  when  separated, 
they  appear  as  opposite  to  one  another  as 
heat  from  cold. 

Their  opposite  action,  indeed,  very  much 
resembles  that  of  heat  and  cold,  even  when 
applied  to  the  tongue ;  for  the  alkali  has  a  hot, 
bitter,  burning  taste,  while  the  acid,  if  not 
considerably  concentrated,  always  gives  a 
sensation  of  coldness.  In  their  action,  too, 
upon  animal  substances,  the  alkali  dissolves, 
arid  reduces  the  part  to  a  mucilage  (or 
clammy,  glutinous,  ropy  substance)  ;  while 
the  acid,  if  not  very  much  concentrated, 
tends  to  preserve  it  uncorrupted-  If  an  al- 
kaline salt,  and  moderately  strong  acid,  in 

3 


18 


a  liquid  state,  be  mixed  together,  they  will 
immediately  unite  ;  and,  provided  the  al- 
kali has  not  been  deprived  of  its  fixed  air, 
their  union  will  be  attended  with  a  very 
considerable  effervescence,  or  seeming  fer- 
mentation. 

If.  the  alkali  has  been  deprived  of  air, 
no  effervescence  will  ensue,  but  they  will 
quietly  mix  together ;  but,  if  a  due  propor- 
tion of  each  has  been  added,  the  liquor  will 
neither  have  the  properties  of  an  acid  nor 
an  alkali,  but  will  be  what  is  called  neuti 
The  bringing  the  liquor  into  this  state  is 
called  satarating  the  acld^  or  alkali^  or,  com- 
bining them  to  the  point  of  saturation. 

If  the  liquor,,  after  such  a  saturation,  be 
gently  evaporated,  a  saline  mass  will  be  left, 
which  is  neither  an  acid  nor  an  alkali,  but 
a  new  compoiuid,  formed  by  the  union  of 
the  two,  and  which  is  called  a  perfect  neu-- 
V    tral  salt.    The  epithet  perfect  is  given  it. 


19 


to  make  a  distinction  between  the  salts 
formed  by  the  union  of  an  acid  and  an  al- 
kali, and  those  formed  by  the  union  of  acids 
with  earthy  or  metallic  substances  ;  for 
these  will  likewise  unite  with  acids :  and 
some  of  the  compounds  will  likewise  crys- 
tallise into  regular  figures  ;  but  because  of 
their  weaker  union  with  these  substances, 
the  salts  resulting  from  combinations  of  this 
kind  are  called  unperject. 

All  acids,  the  volatile  sulphurous  one  ex- 
cepted, change  the  blue  infusions  of  vege- 
tables, such  as  violets,  to  a  red ;  and  alkalis, 
as  well  as  some  of  the  imperfect  neutrals, 
change  them  to  a  green. 

This  is  the  nicest  test  of  an  acid  or  alkali 
abounding  in  any  substance,  and  seems  the 
most  proper  method  of  determining  whe. 
ther  a  solution,  intended  to  be  neutral,  re« 
ally  is  so  or  not^ 


20 


The  two  great  divisions  of  salts  are,  into 
acids  and  alkalis.  The  Jirst  of  these  arb 
known  by  their  peculiar  taste,  which  are 
called  acid  or  sour.  They  are  not  found  in 
a  solid  form  ;  neither  are  any  of  them,  ex- 
cept the  acids  of  vitriol,  of  tartar,  of  phos- 
phorus, and  of  borax,  capable  of  being  re- 
duced to  solidity. 

The  others,  when  highly  concentrated, 
that  is,  brought  to  the  utmost  degree  of 
strength  of  which  they  are  capable,  always 
become  an  invisible  vapour,  permanently 
elastic,  until  it  comes  in  contact  with  wa- 
ter, or  some  other  substance  with  which 
they  are  capable  of  uniting. 

For  such  acids  the  name  of  salts  seem 
less  proper^  as  we  can  scarcely  say  that  a 
l^apour  which  is  already  much  more  fluid 
that!  water  can  be  dissolved  in  that  element. 

Both  vegetable  and  mineral  alkali  appear 
to  be  composed  of  an  exceedingly  caustic 


21 


salt,  united  with  a  certain  quantity  of  fixed 
air.  This  may  be  increased  so  far  as  to 
make  the  vegetable  alkali  assume  a  crystal- 
line form,  and  lose  great  part  of  its  alkaline 
properties.  But,  as  the  adhesion  of  great 
part  of  this  air  is  very  slight,  it  easily  sepa- 
rates with  a  gentle  heat. 

The  only  method  of  depriving  it  of  its 
fixed  air  entirely,  is  by  mixing  an  alkaline 
solution  with  quicklime. 

The  alkaline  salts  for  the  use  of  the  soap- 
boiler, are  produced  from  the  following  ma- 
terials :  The  first  of  which  to  be  noticed  is 
that  well-known  article,  the  produce  of  our 
own  sea-shores,  &c.  called  kelp. 

From  the  large  quantity  of  alkali  therein 
contained,*it  is  very  justly  esteemed  an  excel- 
lent and  useful  material  in  hard  soap-making. 
The  best  of  this  article  is  made  from  sea- 
ware,  or  weed,  cut  from  the  rocks  of  the 
shores  at  low  water-mark,  not  under  four 


22 


or  five  years  old,  and  distant  from  a  com- 
munication with  fresh-water  rivers.  All 
the  sand  ought  carefully  to  be  washed  from 
the  ware  when  cutting,  and  the  remainder, 
if  any,  shaken  off  while  drying. 

Particular  attention  should  be  had  that 
no  sand  be  mixed  in  the  kiln  when  burning. 
The  pernicious  effects  of  sand  are  twofold  ; 
Jirsfj  robbing  the  purchaser,  making  him 
pay  for  sand  instead  of  kelp ;  and,  2d(^j 
what  is  still  worse,  kelp  burnt  with  sand  is 
converted  into  a  kind  of  vitrified  substance, 
^nd  from  which  it  is  next  to  impossible  fot 
the  soap>  maker  to  extract  the  alkali. 

Kelp  is  always  esteemed  the  best  which 
is  hardest,  finest  grained,  and  free  from  sand 
or  earth.  Sea-ware  is  a  most  useful  article 
otherwise,  besides  the  making  of  soap  :  it  is 
an  excellent  manure  for  land,  for  which  pur- 
pose it  is  often  applied  in  the  maritime  parts 
of  Scotland  and  other  countries. 


23 


In  the  island  of  Jura  and  Skye,  it  fre- 
quently serves  as  a  winter  food  for  cattle, 
which  regularly  come  down  to  the  shores  at 
the  recess  of  the  tides  to  seek  for  it.  In 
Gothland  and  Sweden  also,  the  inhabitants 
boil  it  in  water,  and  mixing  therewith  a 
little  coarse  meal,  feed  their  hogs  with  it. 
And  we  are  informed,  that  in  Jura,  and 
some  other  of  the  Hebrides,  the  inhabitants 
dry  their  cheeses  without  salt,  by  covering 
them  with  the  ashes  of  this  plant.  These 
ashes  abound  with  such  quantity  of  salts, 
that  from  five  ounces  of  them,  may  be  pro- 
cured two  ounces  and  a  half  of  fixed  al- 
kaline salt,  that  is,  half  of  their  whole 
weight. 

But  the  most  beneficial  use  which  such 
sea-weed  can  be  put  to,  in  the  way  of  oeco- 
nomy,  is  in  making  kelp ;  a  work  much 
practised  in  the  Western  Isles,  Orkney,  Shet- 
land, Norway,  &c. 


24 


I  shall  next  take  notice  of  an  article  pe- 
culiarly adapted  to  white  soap-makings  al- 
though equally  good  for  yellow.  It  is  the 
produce  of  the  kingdom  of  Spain,  at  least 
the  best  is  from  that  country,  and  called 

EARILLA. 

The  description  we  meet  with  of  this 
plant  is  as  follows,  viz. 

Barilla^  or  bariiha^  the  name  of  a  plant 
cultivated  in  Spain  for  its  ashes,  from  which 
the  purest  kinds  of  alkali  are  obtained. 

There  are  four  plants  which,  in  the  early 
part  of  their  growth,  bear  so  strong  a  re- 
semblance of  each  other,  as  would  deceive 
any  but  the  farmers  and  nice  observers. 
These  four  are,  bai  iila^  gazul  (or,  as  some 
call  it,  algazul^y  soza^  and  saUcornia^  or  sa^ 
Hear.  They  are  all  burnt  to  ashes,  but  ap- 
plied to  different  uses,  as  being  possessed  of 


25 


different  qualities.  Some  of  the  roguish 
farmers  mix  more  or  less  of  the  three  last 
sort  with  the  first ;  and  it  requires  a  com- 
plete knowledge  of  the  colour,  taste,  and 
smell  of  the  ashes,  to  be  able  to  detect  their 
knavery. 

Barilla  is  so'Wn  fresh  every  year ;  its 
greatest  height  above  ground  is  four  inches ; 
each  root  pushes  out  a  vast  number  of  lit- 
tle stalks,  which  again  are  subdivided  into 
smaller  sprigs,  resembling  samphire  ^  ;  and 
altogether  form  a  large,  spreading,  tufted 
bush.  The  colour  is  bright  green.  As  the 
plant  advances  to  maturity,  this  colour  va-* 
nishes  away,  till  it  comes  at  last  to  be  a 
dull  green,  tinged  with  brown. 


*  Samphire^  or  St  Peter* s  Herby  a  plant  which  ge- 
nerally grows  upon  rocky  cliiFs  in  the  sea.  It  is  usually 
pickled,  and  eaten  for  a  dainty  dish, 

c 


26 


Gazul  bears  the  greatest  affinity  to  ba- 
rilla, both  in  quality  and  appearance.  The 
principal  difference  consists  in  its  growing 
on  a  still  dryer,  Salter  earth,  consequently 
it  is  impregnated  with  a  stronger  salt.  It 
does  not  rise  above  two  inches  out  of  the 
ground,  spreading  out  into  little  tufts.  Its 
sprigs  are  much  flatter  and  more  pulpy  than 
those  of  barilla,  and  are  still  more  like  sam- 
phire. It  is  sown  but  once  in  three,  four,  or 
five  years,  according  to  the  nature  of  the  soil. 

Soza^  when  of  the  same  size,  has  the  same 
appearance  as  gazul,  but  in  time  grows 
much  larger,  as  its  natural  soil  is  a  strong 
salt  marsh,  where  it  is  to  be  found  in  large 
tufts  of  sprigs,  treble  the  size  of  barilla, 
and  of  a  bright  green  colour,  which  it  re- 
tains to  the  last. 

Salicor  has  a  stalk  of  a  deep  green  co- 
lour, inclining  to  red,  which  last  becomes 
by  degrees  the  colour  of  the  whole  plant. 


27 


From  the  beginning  it  grows  upright,  and 
much  resembling  a  bush  of  rosemary. 

Its  natural  soil  is  on  the  declivity  of  hills, 
near  the  salt  marshes,  or  on  the  edge  of  the 
small  drains  or  channels  made  by  the  hus- 
bandmen for  the  purpose  of  watering  the 
fields.  Before  it  has  acquired  its  full  growth, 
it  is  very  like  the  barilla  of  those  in  which 
the  ground  has  been  dunged  before  sowing. 
In  these  years  of  manuring,  barilla,  contrary 
to  its  usual  nature,  comes  up  with  a  tinge 
of  red ;  and  v/hen  burnt,  falls  far  short  of 
its  wonted  goodness,  being  bitter,  more  im- 
pregnated with  salts  than  it  should  be,  and 
raising  a  blister,  if  applied  a  few  minutes  to 
the  tongue. 

Barilla  contains  less  salt  than  the  others. 
When  burnt,  it  runs  into  a  mass  resembling 
a  spungy  stone,  with  a  faint  cast  of  blue. 

Gazul,  after  burning,  comes  as  near  ba- 
rilla in  its  outward  appearance,  as  it  does 

2 


28 


when  growing  in  its  vegetable  form  ;  but, 
if  broken,  the  inside  is  of  a  deeper  and  more 
glossy  blue.  Soza  and  Salicor  are  darker, 
and  almost  black  within,  of  a  heavier  con- 
sistence,'and  very  little  or  no  sign  of  spun- 
giness. 

All  these  ashes  contain  a  strong  alkali, 
but  barilla  the  best  and  purest,  though  not 
in  the  greatest  quantity.  Upon  this  prin- 
ciple, it  is  fittest  for  making  glass,  and 
bleaching  linen.  The  others  are  used  in 
making  soap.  Each  of  them  would  whiten 
linen,  but  all,  except  barilla,  would  burn 
it. 

The  method  used  in  making  barilla  is  the 
same  as  that  followed  in  Britain  in  burning 
kelp. 

The  plant,  as  soon  as  ripe,  is  plucked  up, 
and  laid  in  heaps,  then  set  on  fire  ;  the  salt 
juices  run  out  below  into  a  hole  made  in  the 
ground,  wli^ere  they  collect  into  a  vitrified 


29 


lump,  which  is  left  about  a  fortnight  to  cooL 
An  acre  may  give  about  a  ton. 

AMERICAN  POT-ASH 

Is  a  fixed  vegetable  alkali,  another  va- 
luable material  in  hard  soap-making,  pre- 
pared from  the  ashes  of  burnt  wood  in  Ame- 
rica, Russia,  &c.  The  process  of  prepara- 
tion is  nearly  as  follows. 

A  quantity  of  wood  being  burnt  to  ashes, 
these,  while  hot,  are  raked  together  into  a 
heap,  in  which  state  they  remain  for  ten  or 
twelve  hours.  The  purpose  of  this  is,  to 
give  the  embers,  or  black  bits  of  the  wood, 
sufficient  time  to  dissolve,  and  be  thorough- 
ly  converted  into  a  white  ash.  These  white 
ashes  are  boiled  with  water,  for  the  purpose 
of  extracting  the  salt.  This  water  being 
drawn  off,  is  again  boiled,  and  evaporated 
in  a  broad  pan,  over  a  strong  fire,  until  the 
whole  is  reduced  to  a  perfect  dry  salt. 

3 


30 


In  this  state,  the  salt  is  thrown  into  a 
proper  fluxing  furnace,  where  they  are  con- 
verted by  a  strong  heat  into  a  red  hot  mass. 
This  is  drawn  off  by  means  of  a  hole  in  the 
side  of  the  furnace,  and  received  into  iron, 
or  other  moulds,  and  left  to  cool.  When 
cold,  the  lumps  are  broke  up,  and  packed 
in  close  casks  for  exportation,  being  then 
completely  ready  for  use.  Most  other  ashes 
of  the  pot  kind  are  prepared  after  a  similar 
process ;  it  is  therefore  unnecessary  here  to 
say  more  respecting  them. 

There  is  also  a  second  and  third  sort  made  ; 
but  these  are  in  general  so  full  of  refuse, 
especially  the  last,  as  to  render  them  of  lit- 
tle or  no  consequence  to  soap-makers. 

Having  mentioned  a  few  of  the  principal, 
and  certainly  the  best  ashes  used  in  the  ma- 
nufacturing of  hard  soap,  we  shall  turn  for 
a  little  our  attention  to  the  mode  used  for 
detecting  sand  therein. 


31 


This  low,  dirty,  and  abominable  fraud,  is 
but  too  frequently  practised,  not  only  by 
kelp-burners,  but  barilla-makers  also  ;  that 
is,  mixing  sand  with  their  commodity  while 
manufacturing,  and  in  a  liquid  state* 

The  process  I  have  used  for  detecting  sand 
is  simple,  and  not  tedious,  viz.  take  two 
ounces  of  a  fair  sample  from  any  parcel 
meant  to  be  purchased ;  beat  it  down  in  a 
mortar  very  small,  pour  some  boiling  water 
upon  it,  and  rub  it  well  in  the  mortar; 
pour  off  this,  and  add  more,  and  so  conti- 
nue until  all  the  black  light  substance  is 
gone  off  with  the  water.    The  sand  will 
then  be  found  in  the  bottom  of  the  mortar, 
and,  if  surveyed  with  a  magnifier,  will  re- 
semble in  appearance  small  pebble  stones, 
or  channel,  of  various  colours.    Dry  and 
weigh  the  sand ;  and  from  the  quantity  con- 
tained in  the  two  ounces^  a  calculation  may 
be  made  for  the  hundred  weight  or  ton. 


32 


A  certain  given  quantity  of  water  ought 
always  to  be  allotted  for  trying  this  experi- 
riment ;  say,  one  or  two  pints ;  and  by 
weighing  one  pint  thereof  afterwards,  when 
the  experiment  is  finished,  the  quantity  of 
alkaline  salt  may  also  be  discovered  which 
one  pint  of  said  ley  contains  ;  thus,  an  Eng. 
lish  pint  of  spring  water  weighs  1 5  oz.  3  drs. 
12  gr.,  5o  that  all  above  that  weight  in  the 
rubbing  water,  or  ley,  must  be  supposed  al- 
kaline salt.  The  price  of  the  article  ought 
to  be  regulated  according  as  the  experiment 
turns  out. 

From  these  ashes  already  mentioned,  the 
strongest  and  purest  vegetable  alkali  is  ob- 
tained. From  other  vegetables,  as  fern, 
broom,  bean-stalks,  &c.  an  alkaline  salt  is 
produced,  but  so  impure,  and  in  such  small 
quantities,  that  no  soap-manufacturer  in  this 
country  can  use  them,  with  any  reasonable 
expectation  of  profit. 


The  other  ashes  (although  sometimes  used 
in  hard  soap-making,  are  more  proper  for 
bleaching  linen,  being  preferred  for  their 
whitening  quality,  and  mildness  of  the  al- 
kali)^ are  the  following : 


BLUE  PEARL  ASHES- 

These  appear  to  be  a  pure  alkaline  salt, 
mixed  with  a  small  quantity  of  vitriolated 
tartar  and  earth.  Half  a  pound  of  these 
will  give  about  si  ounces  of  pure  salt. 


WHITE  PEARL  ASHES- 

Are  nearly  of  the  same  quality  with  the 
former,  half  a  pound  of  them  giving  five 
ounces  and  seven  drams  of  pure  salt,  with 
some  vitriolated  tartar  and  earth. 


34 


RUSSIA,  OR  MUSCOVY  ASHES, 


Have  very  much  the  appearance  of  slaked 
lime,  and  are,  like  it,  friable,  or  may  be 
powdered  or  crumbled  betwixt  the  fingers. 
Half  a  pound  of  them  will  only  give  about 
ten  drams  and  fifteen  grains  of  a  very  caus- 
tic salt.  These  consist,  therefore,  of  a  small 
quantity  of  alkaline  salt,  united  with  a  large 
quantity  of  lime. 


CASHUL  ASHES 

Are  of  the  colom'  of  iron-stone,  and  ex- 
tremely hard,  with  many  shining  particles 
of  charcoal  in  them.  They  have  a  saline 
taste,  with  a  considerable  degree  of  pun- 
gency or  prickling  heat.  Half  a  pound  of 
these  ashes  being  boiled  in  a  quantity  of 


35 


water  for  twenty-four  hours,  and  evaporated, 
produced  only  ten  drams  of  a  brown  salt, 
having  a  strong  caustic  alkaline  taste.  Upon 
examination,  they  appear  to  contain  an  earth 
half  vitrified,  some  lime,  alkaline  salt,  and 
a  quantity  of  sulphur, 

MARCOPT  ASHES 

Are  of  a  paler  colour  than  the  former, 
with  some  small  pieces  of  charcoal  in  their 
composition.  Half  a  pound  of  them  dis- 
solved in  water,  filtrated  and  evaporated, 
yielded  only,  eleven  drams  one  scruple  and 
two  grains  of  alkaline  residuum. 

The  blue  and  white  pearl  ashes,  discover- 
ed by  experiment  to  be  pure  alkaline  salts, 
without  any  considerable  mixture  of  hetero- 
geneous bodies,  may  be  used  in  hard  soap- 
making,  mixed  with  kelp  or  barilla,  with 
certain  success.    When  used  alone,  a  large 


36 


quantity  of  common  s^^lt  is  necessary ;  nor 
is  the  soap  ever  so  firm  and  hard  as  when 
they  ai'e  combined  with  kelp,  fe-c.  ;  and 
soap  made  with  these  ashes  alone,  is  always  ^ 
apt  to  get  softer  by  age.  Upon  this  ac-  ^ 
count,  pearl  ashes  seem  much  better  calcu- 
lated for  soft,  or  green  soap,  than  hard.  A 
boil,  however,  with  these  pearl  ashes,  after 
the  rosin  have  been  melted,  is  peculiarly 
serviceable  for  killing  the  tallow^  (according 
to  the  common  phrase)  ;  it  converts  the 
whole  mass  in  the  pan  to  a  consistence,  or, 
thin  weak  soap.  But  this  will  be  better 
understood  when  we  come  to  the  operation 
of  boiling  or  making  the  soap;  a  process 
which  we  shall  immediately  set  about. 

Let  us  now  suppose  that  every  thing  is 
ready  for  commencing  the  operation  upon  a 
moderate  scale,  viz.  that  there  is  a  small 
soap-pan,  capable  of  casting  from  20  to  24 
cwt.  of  soap,  six  or  eight  iron  vats,  or  caves, 


37 


with  receivers  that  will  contain  12  or  14  cwt, 
of  kelp  or  ashes,  each ;  that  there  is  also 
kelp,  ashes,  tallow,  lime-shells,  and  palm  oil 
at  hand.  These  are  all  the  materials  ne- 
cessary for  performing  the  operation,  and 
finishing  a  pan,  or  making  of  hard  soap. 

The  first  thing  to  be  done  is,  to  prepare 
for  setting  a  cave,  viz.  Break  down  very 
small  about  1 2  c wt.  of  kelp,  and,  to  make 
a  good  ley,  §  or  3  cwt.  of  American  pot- 
ash may  also  be  broke  and  mixed  therewith. 
Barilla  ash  is  generally  set  by  itself  alone. 
The  breaking,  however,  of  the  American 
pot-ash,  from  the  danger  of  sparks  (if  great 
care  is  not  taken)  of  flying  into  the  eyes^  or 
lodging  about  the  feet,  &c,  w^ould  be  as  well 
altered  to  melting  down,  or  dissolving  in 
boiling  water,  and  then  poured  upon  the 
other  materials  (just  now  to  be  mentioned), 
after  they  are  put  into  the  cave. 

D 


38 


-  The  kelp  now  broke,  spread  about  one- 
sixth  part  of  it  upon  the  floor,  or  slake-pit, 
if  there  is  one,  upon  which  lay  about  half  a 
bushel  lime-shells,  and  water  them.  When 
the  shells  begin  to  burst  and  crack,  put  on 
another  layer  of  kelp,  then  more  shells,  and 
water  them  ;  and  so  on,  stratum  super  stra- 
tum, or  one  above  the  other^  until  there  is 
about  the  quantity  of  2t  or  3  American  ash 
barrels  of  shells  mixed  with  the  IScwt.  of 
kelp.  Let  this  stand  for  the  space  of  two 
hours.  The  cave  in  the  interim  may  be  got 
ready  for  receiving  them,  thus :  Lay  two 
rows  of  bricks  upon  the  bottom,  from  the 
hole  or  pipe  quite  across  to  the  opposite 
side,  forming  therewith  a  small  channel,  of 
three  or  four  inches  breadth.  Cover  this 
over  with  any  convenient  thing,  such  as 
slate,  tyle,  a  piece  of  dale,  &c.  And  to 
crown  the  whole,  lay  on  some  straw,  or  an 


i 


39 


old  bass  mat,  &c.  This  is  to  prevent  the 
grosser  parts  of  the  materials  from  getting 
in  and  stopping  up  the  channel,  intended 
only  for  the  leys  to  run  in.  Stop  up  the 
pipe,  or  hole  in  the  cave,  with  a  pin,  about 
which  ought  to  be  lapt  a  piece  of  paper  to 
keep  all  close. 

These  preparations  now  accomplished,  w^e 
proceed  to  what  is  generally  termed, 

SETTING  A  CAVE. 

The  principal  object  here  to  be  observed, 
is  to  mix  the  compound  well  together,  pre- 
vious to  putting  into  the  cave.  The  first 
backet  or  two  should  be  very  gently  laid 
upon  the  covered  drain,  or  bottom  of  the 
cave.  This  will  secure  the  straw,  or  mat, 
from  being  disturbed  afterwards,  by  throw- 
ing in  the  rest  of  the  materials. 

2 


40 


Throw  on  two  or  three  pales  of  water,  at 
different  periods,  during  the  setting,  which 
will  have  the  effect  to  dissolve  any  small 
particles  of  the  shells  that  may  formerly 
have  escaped  the  water.  Observe  always 
to  leave  a  vacancy  at  the  top  of  the  cave, 
of  about  eight  or  ten  inches  at  least,  in  or- 
der to  give  room  for  swelling  of  the  lime, 
and  filling  up  with  water. 

Supposing  now  the  kelp  and  lime  all  put 
into  the  cave,  and  no  American  ash  there- 
with, but  that  these  ashes  have  been  melt- 
ed down,  or  dissolved  in  boiling  water,  and 
are  converted  into  a  ley ;  pour  that  upon 
the  top  of  the  other  materials  just  put  into 
the  cave,  and  fill  up  with  water  until  the 
whole  is  completely  saturated  therewith ; 
the  completion  of  which  will  be  evident, 
when  the  bubbling  in  the  cave  ceases  to 
arise.    Let  the  whole  now  stand  for  12  or 


41 


li  hours,  adding,  however,  a  little  more 
water  as  the  stuff  appears  to  dry  up,  or  ab- 
sorb that  already  put  on.  When  the  cave 
has  stood  the  above  time,  loose  the  pin,  and 
let  the  ley  run  briskly  off.  When  all  is 
off,  stop  up  again,  and  fill  with  water,  which 
may  stand  the  half  of  the  former  time  ;  the 
pin  may  again  be  loosed,  and  the  leys  al- 
lowed to  run  gently  off,  keeping  the  cave 
always  filled  up  or  supplied  with  water.  It 
may  be  unnecessary  here  to  remark,  that 
we  must  hitherto  be  supposed  as  laying 
down  directions  to  a  person  just  going  to 
commence  soap-making,  but  perfectly  ig- 
norant of  the  operation,  and  that  he  is  pre- 
paring every  necessary  agreeable  thereto. 
In  that  case,  descending  to  particulars  will, 
I  hope,  be  excused  by  the  knowing,  or  more 
experienced  reader. 

We  shall  now  go  on  by  informing,  that 
before  beginning  to  boil,  more  leys  must  be 

3 


42 


got  ready  ;  consequently,  another  cave  may 
be  prepared  in  the  same  manner  as  the  for- 
mer one  ;  with  this  exception  only,  that, 
instead  of  filling  up,  or  supplying  the  se- 
cond cave  with  pure  water,  let  it  be  run 
through  the  former  cave  first,  and  then  put 
upon  the  second.  The  intention  of  this  is 
obvious;  that,  while  the  last  is  supplied 
with  water,  the  remaining  strength  of  the 
first  is  extracted,  and  collected  into  the  se- 
cond ;  and  this  must  be  the  uniform  prac- 
tice at  all  times,  that  none  of  the  alkali  be 
lost;  never  turning  out  a  cave,  as  spent, 
until  you  discover  by  the  test  the  alkali  is 
vanished. 

Having  just  mentioned  the  test^  I  shall 
take  this  opportunity  of  explaining  what  it 
is. 

The  test  is  a  thing  so  necessary  for  a  soap- 
boiler, that  it  is  impossible  for  him  to  con- 
duct his  operations  with  propriety  without 


43 


it ;  yet,  I  believe,  there  arc  hundreds  in  the 
trade  that  know  nothing  at  all  about  it  :  be 
that  as  it  will,  I  say,  they  ought  to  know 
it ;  nor  can  any  man  discover  when  a  soap- 
ley  is  totally  deprived  of  its  alkali,  without 
its  assistance. 

It  is  prepared  in  the  following  manner  : 
Take  a  parcel  of  the  blue  flowers  of  any  ve- 
getable, violets,  for  instance,  or  the  blossom 
of  the  mallow ;  beat  them  with  the  edge  of 
a  knife,  and  squeeze  the  juice  of  it  into  a 
tea-cup  ;  with  a  small  brush,  or  hair  pencil, 
lay  over  a  sheet  of  white  paper  with  this 
juice,  and  when  dry  it  is  fit  for  use.  All 
alkalis  will  turn  it  green,  and  all  acids  will 
turn  it  of  a  red  colour.  A  combination  of 
them  both  to  the  point  of  saturation,  will 
not  in  the  smallest  degree  alter  the  colour 
of  the  test,  because  they  are  then  said  to  be 
neutral,  having  neither  the  properties  of  an  a- 


44 


cid,  or  an  alkali ;  but  add  a  few  drops  more, 
of  either  the  one  or  the  other,  the  eifecl  will 
be  evident.  If  alkali  is  added,  the  test  will 
be  green  ;  if  acid,  it  will  be  red. 

An  intimate  acquaintance  with  every  par- 
ticular relative  to  the  leys,  is  the  one  thing 
needful  for  a  soap-boiler,  being  as  it  were  the 
ground-work  of  the  w^hole  operation,  and 
materially  essential  to  be  well  understood, 
before  any  attempt  ought  to  be  made  at 
soap-making. 

We  come  now,  of  course,  to  examine  the 
leys  already  prepared,  and  to  determine  by 
experiment  whether  they  are,  or  are  not,  fit 
for  soap-making  ;  that  is,  whether  they  are 
caustic  and  fit,  or  in  a  mild  state,  conse- 
quently unfit  for  the  purpose. 

Unless  a  soap-ley  be  rendered  caustic,  or 
deprived  of  its  fixed  air,  it  can  have  no  na- 
tural attraction  for  vegetable  or  animal  sub- 


M 


45 


stances,  such  as  oil,  tallow,  or  grease  of  any 
kind,  so  as  to  convert  them  into  a  soap. 
For  the  sole  purpose,  therefore,  of  extract- 
ing the  fixed  air  from  the  leys,  do  soap- 
makers  use  quicklime.  Depriving  the  mild 
alkali  of  its  fixed  air,  renders  it  caustic,  or 
of  a  burning,  corroding  quality,  and  of  that 
peculiar  nature  that  instantly  attach  them- 
selves to  all  greasy  substances,  and  converts 
them  into  soap. 

The  common  vulgar  notion,  of  using 
quicklime  for  its  heat,  is  a  mistaken  idea, 
although  I  know  it  to  be  entertained  by 
many  soap-makers.  Our  most  celebrated 
professors  of  chemistry  ^,  v/hen  preparmg 
a  soap4ey,  generally  slake  and  ^ift  their 
lime ;  consequently,  banish  entirely  all  re- 
gard for  heat  in  the  lime  ;  using  warm  v/a- 
ter  rather. 


*  See  Di:>sertation  on  Spoiled  Hard  Soap,  Appendix. 


46 


A  mild  ley,  or  that  possessing  fixed  air, 
can  have  no  effect  upon  vegetable  or  ani- 
mal substances,  so  as  to  convert  them  into  a 
soap. 

Hence  we  may  perceive  the  pernicious 
practices  of  some  soap-boilers,  (or  pretend- 
ers to  be  so),  namely,  melting  down,  or 
dissolving  American  ash  in  boiling  water, 
and,  in  that  mild  and  improper  state,  adding 
those  leys  to  the  boiler. 

Such  consummate  ignorance  persevered 
in,  must,  and  always  have  proved  ultimate 
ruin  to  the  person  himself,  or  his  unfortu- 
nate employer. 

To  determine,  therefore,  the  proper  state 
of  the  ley,  take  a  quantity  in  a  glass,  or  tea- 
cup, drop  therein  a  few  drops  of  vitriolic  a- 
cid,  or  oil  of  vitriol ;  if  this  causes  an  effer- 
vescence, or  seeming  fermentation  in  the  ley, 
the  fixed  air  is  not  fully  extracted ;  but,  if 


47 


no  such  appearance  ensue  upon  the  combi- 
nation of  the  acid  and  alkali,  the  ley  is  fit 
for  innmediate  use,  being  arrived  at  the  state 
of  a  proper  caustic  soap-ley. 

A  soap-ley,  by  being  long  exposed  in 
open  vessels,  will  lose  the  whole  of  its  cau- 
sticity, and  seem  entirely  restored  to  the 
state  of  an  ordinary  fixed  alkali.  The  keep- 
ing them  as  close  as  possible,  therefore,  ap- 
pears exceedingly  necessary. 

By  means  of  the  acid  may  be  discovered 
also  the  comparative  strength  between  one 
ley  and  another^  and  so  ascertain  which  of 
the  two  contains  the  greatest  quantity  of 
fixed  alkaline  salt.  Thus,  take  a  specific 
quantity  of  each;  a  wine  glassful,  for  in- 
stance ;  drop  therein  a  dozen  drops,  or  so, 
of  acid  ;  stir  with  a  bit  stick,  and  apply  a 
slip  of  the  test-paper.  If  it  appear  green, 
more  acid  must  be  added,  and  stirred  again. 
Applying  the  test  a  second  time,  if  still 


48 


green,  a  few  more  drops  must  be  added; 
and  so  continue,  until  you  find  the  paper  is 
by  no  means  altered  in  the  colour,  neither 
green  nor  red.  The  ley  is  then  neither  an 
acid  nor  an  alkali,  but  neutral,  or  a  com- 
bination of  both,  brought  to  the  point  of 
saturation.  A  few  drops  more  of  the  acid, 
would  occasion  the  test-paper  to  take  a  red, 
instead  of  a  green  colour,  which  Would  dis- 
tinctly show  the  power  of  the  acid  to  pre- 
vail. 

Treating  in  this  manner  the  different  leys, 
then  counting  the  number  of  drops  taken  to 
neutralize  them,  the  strongest  ley  will  be 
discovered  to  be  that  which  have  required 
the  greatest  quantity  of  acid,  to  overcome 
the  power  of  the  alkali. 

Soap-leys  are  also  judged  of  by  their  spe- 
cific gravity,  or  weight,  comparative  to  wa- 
ter. 


49 


An  English  pint  of  spring  water 

weighs  about . . .  .  ....... .15    3  IS 

A  strong  soap-ley,  the  Enghsh 

pint,  weighs  about..  ...  .........  17    6  9i4 

The  difference  between  the  two  is, .  2  3  :12 
— and  supposed  to  be  the  quantity  of  fixed 
alkaline  salt  contained  in  one  pint  of  .such 
ley. 

A  most  accurate  and  easy  method  Jor  a- 
scertaining  the  strength  of  soap-leys  for  im- 
mediate use,  is  as  follows,  viz. 

Take  a  small  bottle,  and  having  filled  it 
with  water,  put  it  into  on€  5cale,  and  as 
many  small  lead-shot  into  the  other  will 
exactly  balance  it.  Suppose  J2S  is  requi- 
site for  that  purpose.  Suppose,  again,  that 
the  bottle  and  water  just  weighs  4  ounces.; 
this  is  throwing  it  into  128  parts;  half 
of  that  is  tt\,  or  2  ounces ;  half  it  again, 
E 


50 


IS  parts,  or  1  ounce  ;  again,  is  J^*^  parts, 
or  8  drams;  then  into  xls  parts,  or  4 
drams;  -rh  parts,  or  2  drams;  parts, 
or  1  dram  ;  and  part,  or  half  a  dram, 
which  is  bringing  it  to  the  lowest  denomi- 
nation. 

Get  proper  weights  made  for  each  of  these 
divisions ;  and  when  the  strength  of  the  ley 
at  any  time  is  required  to  be  ascertained, 
fill  the  bottle,  and  put  it  into  the  scale  : 
into  the  opposite  one,  the  balance  of  water, 
or  the  128  shot,  is  placed;  and  as  ley  is  al- 
ways heavier  than  water,  some  one  or  other 
of  the  divisions  will  be  wanted  to  balance 
the  ley  :  theirefore,  whatever  division  may 
answer  for  that  purpose,  must  be  called  the 
weight  of  the  leys  ;  the  surplus  weight  a- 
,  ;bove  that  of  water  being  only  reckoned, 
and  not  the  whole  quantity  :  For  instance, 
if  the  bottle  of  ley  take  the  division  weight 


51 


No  16,  in  that  case  the  ley  is  -^^^  parts 
heavier  than  water,  or  S  drams,  reasonably 
supposed  to  be  alkaline  salt. 

Notwithstanding  that  various  sorts  of  al- 
kali are  enumerated,  it  is  supposed  that 
there  is  but  one  alkaline  principle  in  na- 
ture, which,  by  being  variously  combined 
with  sundry  substances,  assumes  various 
particular  properties.  However,  an  alkali 
is  never  found  pure  in  nature,  but  it  is  al- 
ways combined  with  other  substances,  from 
which  it  must  be  separated  by  art,  in  order 
to  obtain  it  sufficiently  pure.  The  fixed 
alkali  is  obtained  either  from  sea-salt,  or 
from  vegetables ;  hence  it  is  called  ^xed 
mineral  alkali  in  the  first  case,  and  Jixed  ve^ 
getable  alkali  in  the  second. 

Having  in  the  foregoing  pages  endeavoured 
to  furnish  the  attentive  reader  with  a  tolerable 
idea  of  the  preliminaries  of  soap-making,  we 
shall  now  proceed  to  what  I  consider  the 

2 


m 

easiest  and  most  simple  part  of  the  business^ 
the  boiling ;  although  by  the  ignorant  and: 
unwary  conceived  to  be  the  principal  re- 
quisite, and  containing  the  whole  mystery 
of  the  trade.  As  a  proof  of  which,  I  take- 
the  liberty  to  mention,  that  it  is  within  the 
■compass  of  my  knowledge,  of  several  in^. 
stances  having  occurred,  where  common  ex- 
cisemen, from  their  mere  observations  taken 
while  attending,  in  the  line  of  their  duty, 
upon  a  soapwork,  have  had  the-  daring  pre- 
sumption to  pretend  a  complete  knowledge^ 
of  soap-making  ;  in  consequence  of  which, 
have  had  the  address  to  induce  several  in- 
dividuals of  fortune  to  risk  their  money  in 
an  unknown  and  dangerous  undertaking, 
confidently  relying  upon  the  false  skill  of 
those  self-taught  gangers  as  conductors*  and 
managers. 

A  short  time,  however,  was  always  suffi- 
clent  to  convince,  by  woeful  experience,. 


53 

such  unfortunate  gentlemen  of  their  own 
error  and  their  managers  ignorance. 

The  leys  being  novv  ready,  we  shall  com- 
mence with  a  boiling  of  brozmi  or  yellow 
soap.  For  this  purpose,  let  there  be  weigh- 
ed 10  cwt.  of  tallow,  and  about  3  cwt.  of 
rosin ;  the  rosin  to  be  broke  in  small  lumps. 
In  the  first  place,  put  into  the  boiler  about 
1 50  or  200  gallons  of  leys  (about  the  weight 
of  l6  oz.  4  dr.  48  gr.  the  English  pint, 
which  will  nearly  answer  to  NO  32  of  the 
forementioned  divisions),  and  set  the  fire  ; 
then  add  the  tallow  and  rosin.  This  done, 
the  pan  is  said  to  be  charged. 

A  good  fire  may  be  kept  up  until  all  is 
thoroughly  melted,  and  the  pan  brought  to 
boil ;  during  which  time  there  ought  to 
be  constant  stirring  with  the  peddle,  to  pre- 
vent the  rosin  settling  to  the  bottom.  If 
tlie  goods  or  materials  in  the  pan  appear  t(» 


54 


swell  up,  damp  the  fire,  which  is  done  hy 
opening  the  furnace  door,  and  throwing 
ashes  thereon  (some  have  proper  dampers), 
when  the  whole  will  boil  at  leisure.  As  the 
caustic  alkah  immediately  grips  to  the  tal- 
low, there  is  no  occasion  for  long  boiling ; 
about  two  or  three  hours  wall  be  long  e- 
nough  :  the  fire  may  then  be  drawn,  and- 
the  pan  allowed  to  stand  for  four  or  six 
hours,  when  the  weak  leys  may  be  pumped 
off,  and  fresh  ones  added  for  second  boiL. 
It  may  be  necessary  to  mention,  that  when 
^he  pan  is  wished  to  be  cranned,  or  pumped- 
ofF  sooner,  a  few  pails  of  cold  ley  must  be 
thrown  in,  a  little  after  the  lire  is  drawn. 

Set  the  fire  again  for  second  boil,  and 
when  properly  a-boil,  two  or  three  hours 
may  be  sufficient  at  any  one  time  to  conti^ 
ime  the  boil :  the  strength  of  the  leys  are 
uften  gone  before  that  period  arrives.  A 


55 


sSoit  experience,  however,  with  attentiofi, 
will  perfectly  inform  any  sagacious  person 
with  regard  to  this  particular. 

The  boiUngs  to  be  thus  continued  day 
after  day,  until  the  soap  becomes  thick,  and 
a  strong  consistence.  Take  then  a  little 
upon  the  forefinger,  and  after  letting  it  cool 
a  few  seconds,  press  it  with  the  thumb. 
If  it  squeezes  into  a  thin^  hard  scale,  the 
soap  is  fit,  or  ready,  for  finishing  :  if  other- 
wise it  appear  greasy,  and  stick  to  the 
finger,  and  of  a  soft  consistence,  more  leys 
must  be  added,  and  if  that  does  not  harden 
it,  another  boil  must  be  given.  But,  in 
consequence  of  the  former  scaly-like  appear- 
ance, give  the  pan  a  good  hearty  boil,  and 
draw  the  fire.  Cool  down  with  two  or  three 
pailsc  of  leys,  and  in  about  two  hours  there- 
after pump  off  the  leys;  which  should  be 
done  at  all  times  as  clean  as  possible.  This 
done,,  put  in  six  or  eight  pails  of  water  to  the- 


56 


boiler  (no  leys  at  finishing  being  used),  set  a 
brisk  fire,  and  keep  constantly  stirring  with 
hand-stirrer  and  paddle  alternately,  until  all 
is  melted,  and  begin  to  shew  an  appearance 
something  like  thin  honey.  Take  now  a 
little  from  a  boiling  part,  upon  the  hand- 
board,  and  observe,  when  held  up,  if  any 
leys  run  clearly  from  it :  if  they  do,  more  wa- 
ter must  be  put  in,  and  the  boil  continued. 
When,  upon  the  other  hand,  naleys  run  from 
the  soap  when  held  up  slanting-ways  upon  the 
board ;  in  that  case,  too  much  water  have  al- 
ready been  given.  A  little  strong  salt  ley 
must  now  be  added  to  open  it,  technically 
termed  cutthig  up  ;  or,  instead  of  salt  ley,  a 
little  strong  common  salt  and  w^ater ;  about 
half  a  pailful  may  do.  I  should  prefer  this  last 
to  the  ley,  wishing  now  to  exclude  as  much 
as  possible  all  alkali  from  entering  the  pan. 
We  come  now  to  the  most  critical  part  of 
boiling,  that  is,   the  grand  criterion  ob- 


57 

served'  in  finishing  soap  :  and  it  ought  to  lie- 
particularly  attended  to,  that  the  soap  be 
brought  to  that  state,  so  as,  when  held  up 
upon  the  hand-board,  the  leys  do  not  mn 
down,  from  the  soap,  but  are  seen,  as  it 
w^ere,  just  starting  from  it.  The  fire  may 
then  be  drawn  away,  and  the  soap  declared 
finished  :  or,  if  palm-oil  is  wished  for  mak- 
ing it  of  a  beautiful  colour,  about  20  lib., 
may  be  put  into  the  boiler,  after  you  disco, 
ver,  as  above,  the  soap  to  be  finished ;  and 
in  about  half  an  hour  after  the  oil  is  put  in, 
the  fire  may  be  drawn,  and  the  whole  al- 
lowed to  stand  for  48  hours,  when  it  may 
b  cast  into  the  frames. 
In  about  three  days  (supposing  the  framesv 
30  inches  deep),  the  whole  will  cut  up  into 
bars. 


58 


A  Charge  for  pure  White  Soap, 

\ 

The  boiler  being  made  perfectly  clean, 
put  in  iO  cwt,  of  best  home  melted  tallow 
(no  rosin  is  used  in  white  soap),  with  200 
gallons  leys,  NO  22  ;  melt  down  with  a 
moderate  fire,  as  the  goods  now  in  hand- 
are  something  similar  to  milk,  exceeding 
apt  to  boil  over. 

Close  attention,  therefore,  is  absolutely 
needful  upon  this  first  boil ;  which  may  be 
continued  about  two  hours,  with  a  moderate 
fire,  when  it  may  be  drawn  away,  and  the 
pan  allowed  to  settle  about  two  hours,  when 
the  leys  may  be  drawn  off.  The  process  to 
be  observed  in  this  soap  is  exactly  similar 
to  the  last  operation.  Two  or  three  boils 
a-day  to  white  soap  may  be  given  with 
great  ease  ;  the  leys  sooner  subsiding  in  the 


59 

boiler  than  with  yellow  soap^  and  can  be 
cleaner  pumped  off. 

When  sufficient  boils  have  been  given, 
''and  the  soap  arrived  at  perfection,  it  will 
assume  an  appearance  something  like  a  curdy 
mass.  Take  then  a  little  upon  your  fore- 
finger, (as  before  directed)  ;  and  if  the  same 
effect  seems  to  attend  it,  that  is,  when 
pressed  with  the  thumb  it  squeezes  into  a 
thin,  hard,  clear  scale,  and  parts  freely  with 
the  finger,  the  soap  is  ready  for  finishings 
Draw  the  fire  cool  down  with  a  few  pails  of 
ley,  and  in  a  short  time  thereafter  pump 
clean  off. 

Set  the  fire,  and  add  to  the  soap  eight  or 
ten  pails  of  water,  (the  pail  I  suppose  to 
contain  about  nine  or  ten  English  gallons). 
When  this  is  melted,  and  properly  incorpo- 
rated with  the  soap,  try,  as  formerly  di- 
rected, if  the  leys  run  from  it  when  held  up 
upon  the  hand-board.    If  they  do,  more 


60 


water  must  be  put  in.    If  they  do  not  run, 
or  any  appearance  of  them,  continue  boil- 
ing for  a  short  while  longer,  and  then  add 
a  pail  of  salt  and  water  pretty  strong,  mix- 
ed together  ;  about  one-third  salt,  and  two- 
thirds  water.    This  will  have  the  effect  to 
cut  up  the  pan,  or  separate  the  soap  and 
water  completely  from  one  another.  When 
this  is  apparent,  draw  the  fire  ;  let  it  stand 
-for  half  an  hour,  when  the  water  will  pump 
.off,  bringing  therewith  most  of  the  remain- 
ing alkaline  leys  of  the  former  boil. 

This  I  call  the  first  washing  ;  and  if  kelp- 
ley  has  been  used  in  the  operation,  the  pro- 
priety of  this  must  be  conspicuous,  for  the 
water  pumped  off  will  be  of  an  exceeding 
dark  bottle  green  colour.  The  finishing  of 
white  soap  without  this  precaution,  is  the 
sole  cause  of  that  blueness  so  frequently  ob. 
served  in  that  article  when  made  and  brought 
to  market. 


61 

The  blue  ley  being  pumped  clean  off, 
set  again  the  fire,  and  put  into  the  boiler 
six  or  eight  pails  of  water ;  and  when  tho- 
roughly incorporated  and  boiled  some  time, 
try  if  the  w^ater  runs  from  the  soap  :  if  it 
does,  add  water  in  small  quantities  at  a 
time,  until  it  is  observed  not  to  run,  but,  as 
formerly  mentioned  for  yellow  soap,  to  ap- 
pear as  just  starting  from  the  soap  ;  in  that 
case,  after  giving  a  good  boil,  and  swelling 
the  soap  up  in  the  pan  to  near  the  brim, 
draw  away  all  the  fire,  and  spread  it  about 
to  die  away.  The  pan  is  now  finished,  and 
may  stand  about  twelve  or  fourteen  hours ; 
and  if  the  quantity  is  large,  that  is,  two, 
three,  or  four  ton,  double  this  time  to  stand 
will  be  much  in  favour  of  the  soap,  pro- 
viding always  that  it  can  be  kept  very  close 
and  warm  in  the  boiler.  If  any  blueness  still 
appear,  repeat  the  washing. 

Before  casting,  I  would  recommend  the 
F 


6£ 


tmes  to  have  a  bottom  and  lining  of  coarse 

^oth,  for  white  soap  only.  After  all  is 
ast  into  the  frames,  let  it  be  well  stirred, 
or  crutched ;  and  it  is  very  proper  that  it 
also  be  covered  close  up  with  old  sheets, 
bass  mats,  &c.  upon  the  top  of  the  frame 
and  soap,  and  allowed  to  cool  gradually, 
and  all  together. 

In  about  three  or  four  days  (supposing, 
as  formerly,  the  dip  30  inches),  the  cover- 
ings and  frames  may  be  taken  off,  and 
the  whole  cut  up  into  such  size  of  bars  as 
may  best  suit  the  customers. 

Having  in  the  foregoing  pages  endea- 
voured to  give  a  clear  and  distinct  illustra- 
tion of  the  proceedings  necessarily  attend- 
ing the  manufacturing  of  yellow  and  white 
soap,  I  have  only  to  add,  that  frequent 
trials,  and  diligent  observation,  can  alone 
direct  to  further  improvement. 


63 


We  come  next  to  explain  how  this  white 
soap,  at  a  moderate  expence,  may  be  per- 
fumed or  scented,  in  order  to  make  it  ap- 
pear in  the  character  of  what  is  generally- 
denominated  Windsor  Soap. 

This  perfume  must  be  prepared  by  the 
manufacturer  himself ;  for  to  purchase  it 
from  perfumers  would  be  attended  with  too 
enormous  an  expence.  I  have  acquired  this 
perfume  in  the  following  manner,  viz.  Pro- 
cure a  small  still,  about  20  English  gallons, 
with  a  proportionate  worm  of  six  or  eight 
turns,  the  placing  of  which  properly  any 
mason  can  instruct.  Put  into  the  still  a-- 
bout  14  or  16  libs,  of  good  fresh  caraway 
seeds,  and  fill  up  with  water  about  two- 
thirds  full :  let  the  head  and  body  of  the 
still  be  luted  together,  as  also  the  pipe 
where  it  enters  the  worm.  Set  a  pretty 
brisk  fire,  and  as  the  still  boils,  the  essen- 
tial oil  will  run  off,  which  may  be  received 

2 


64 

into  bottles,  having  a  filler  in  the  mouth. 
When  all  the  oil  seems  to  appearance  to  be 
extracted,  the  operation  is  finished,  and 
nothing  remains  but  to  separate  the  oil  from 
the  water  that  has  accompanied  it.  This 
must  be  accomplished  by  a  separating-glass, 
or,  if  that  cannot  be  had,  prepare  a  few 
worsted  threads ;  put  one  end  of  them  into 
the  bottle  having  the  essential  oil  and  water 
in  it,  and  the  other  ends  into  an  empty 
bottle  along  side :  by  this  means,  the  whole 
of  the  essential  oil  will  make  its  escape  from 
the  bottle  of  oil  and  water,  by  ascending  the 
worsted  threads,  and  drop  into  the  empty 
bottle. 

The  oil  being  prepared  and  collected,  w^e 
now  proceed  to  get  it  ready  for  introducing 
into  the  soap.  In  its  present  state  it  is  not 
fit,  but  must  be,  according  to  the  common 
term,  kUIed^  or  deprived  of  its  oily  nature. 
This  is  accomplished  by  mixing  it  with  a 


65 


small  quantity  of  spirit  of  wine,  or  alcohol 
stirring  them  together  until  the  oil  is  ob- 
served to  lose  its  oily  quality,  and  to  be- 
come, as  it  were,  one  body  with  the  mix- 
ing spirit.  The  proper  time  for  incorpo- 
rating this  perfume  with  the  soap,  is  during 
the  casting  into  the  frames,  and  should  be 
put  in  at  two  or  three  different  periods. 
When  all  is  in,  finish  as  formerly  directed, 
by  stirring  and  covering  close  up. 

This  essential  oil  of  caraway  is  esteemed 
an  exceeding  strong  perfume,  asserted  by 
some  chemists  to  be  about  twenty  times 
stronger  than  anise- seed.  As  a  proof  of  the 
amazing  volatility  of  this  perfume,  the  di- 
stiller will  find  some  difliculty,  for  several 
days  after  the  operation,  to  wash  himself 
clear  of  the  scent,  even  suppose  he  strip 
to  the  skin,  and  change  every  article  of 
dress.  The  quantity,  therefore,  to  be  used 
by  the  soap-maker,  for  his  certain  purpose, 

3 


66 

must  be  left  to  his  own  experience  and  dis- 
cretion, to  correspond  with  the  quantity  of 
soap  intended  to  be  perfumed. 


Having  in  the  preceding  pages  exhibited 
a  clear  and  comprehensive  view  of  the  whole 
proceedings  attending  the  charging,  boiling, 
and  finishing  of  yellow^  white^  and  perfumed^ 
soap,  I  shall  endeavour,  in  the  92exf  place, 
to  present  the  reader  with  an  account  of  the 
making  of  a  different  quality  of  soap,  and 
shew,  by  a  few  specimens  from  real  opera- 
tions, the  method,  materials,  and  propor- 
tions, used  in  the  manufacturing  of  blacky 
green,  or  soft,  soap. 

The  peculiar  method  pursued  in  making 
this  soap,  differs  considerably  from  that  of 
hard  soap.  The  hard  has  the  whole  leys 
extracted   totally   before   finishing  :  Soft 


67 

soap,  on  the  ^contrary,  retains  the  whoie 
leys  used  in  the  making  thereof ;  becoming, 
with  the  other  materials  employed,  one 
compound  body,  called,  soft  soap.  A  few 
examples  will  clearly  explain  the  nature 
and  practical  means  made  use  of  in  pro- 
ducing this  very  useful  soap. 

The  fundamental  principle  upon  which 
the  proper  management,  or  manufacturing, 
of  soft  soap  depends,  as  we  have  before 
stated  for  hard  soap,  is  a  certain  knowledge 
of  the  quality  and  strength  of  the  leys  ; 
for  however  necessary  that  knowledge  may 
be  in  hard  soap-making,  it  is  peculiarly 
more  so  in  soft. 

The  using  of  leys  below  the  proper 
strength  alloted,  will  materially  spoil  the 
whole  boiling,  and  occasion  much  addition- 
al trouble  to  the  manufacturer,  with  a  con- 
siderable loss  of  time,  before  a  proper  ar- 
rangement afterwards  can  be  eftected,  and 


68 

things  again  put  to  rights.  To  avoid  any 
inconveniencies  of  that  nature,  the  work- 
man must  be  very  particular  in  ascertaining 
the  exact  strength  of  his  boihng  ley.  When 
English  ashes  are  used,  the^  strength  of  a 
boiling  ley  (according  to  the  former  calcu- 
lation), is,  ;  when  foreign  ashes, 
parts,  or,  as  they  are  commonly  desigaed, 
carats.  We  shall  here  set  down  the  former 
calculation  of  the  different  degrees  of  strength 
of  the  leys,  for  the  greater  convenience  of 
the  operator,  in  the  form  of  a  table. 

128  parts,  or  4  ounces. 

ditto  -  2  ounces — 1st  division. 

ditto  -  1  ounce — 2d  division. 

ditto  -  8  drams — 3d  division, 

xl^  ditto  -  4  drams — 4th  division. 

T-lg  ditto  -  2  drams — oth  division.^ 

-r|^  ditto  -  1  dram — 6th  division, 

•ri^  ditto  -  half  a  dram — 7th  division. 


69 


After  the  proper  weights  for  each  of  the 
divisions  are  got  ready,  it  will  be  easy  to 
pick  out  such  as  may  serve  for  the  weight 
of  any  ley  :  For  instance,  NO  15  and 
No  2,  is  IS  carats  ;  or,  16,  4,  and  2,  is  22 
carats ;  the  boiling  ley  for  English  and  fo- 
reign ashes. 

The  weights  and  measures  which  I  have 
had  occasion  to  mention,  in  the  course  of 
the  preceding  pages,  are  those  used  in  the 
dispensaries,  viz. 

IFine  Measure. 


A  gallon 
The  pint 
The  ounce 


f  Eight  pints. 
> contains^  Sixteen  ounces. 
[.Eight  drams. 


The  pound 
The  ounce 
The  dram 
The  scruple  J 


>contams< 


r Twelve  ounces. 
Eight  drams. 
Three  scruples. 
l-Twenty  grains. 


to 


oz.  dr.gr. 

The  weight  of  an  English  pint 

measure  of  strong  soap-ley  is,  .17  6  24 

Distilled  water,  15  \  50 

Rain  water,  \6  2  40 

Spring  ditto,  \5  3  12 

Sea  ditto,                                 .  15  5  20 

Oil  of  vitriol  58  6  20 

A  good  boiling  ley,  ,  ...  1 6  4  48 


71 


Soap  Frame,  45  Inches  long,  by  15  Inches 
broad,  Inside. 


DIP. 


Inch 


4 
0 

6 
7 
8 
9 

10 

? 

30 
4i) 
50 
100 


HOT  AREA,  24.10. 


0 

0 
0 
0 

1 
1 
I 
1 
1 

2 
4 
6 
8 
10 
-^0 


s,    d»  qrs,  pts. 


4 

8 

12 
16 
0 
4 

8 

12 
16 


0 
I 

2 
3 
4 
4 
5 
6 

7 


0  8 

1  4 


2 

2 

3 
6 


3  .21 

2  .42 

1  .6,^ 

0  .84 
0.05 

3  .26 

2  .47 

1  .68 
0.89 
0  .10 
O.iU 
0.30 
0.40 

0  .50 

1  .00 


Inch, 


3 
4 
5 
6 
7 

8 
9 

} 

20 

30 
4' 
50 
lOo 


COLD  AREA,  24.87. 


0 

0 
0 
0 

1 
1 
1 
1 
1 

2 
4 

6 
8 

!0 

20 


i.  grs.  fit. 


4 
8 
12 
16 


9 
13 
17 


5 
7 
9 
19 


2 
4 
7 
9 


0  11 

5  2 


4 
6 

9 


1  11 

3  11 


10 
10 
lO 
8 


1  .447 

2  .894 
0,341 
1  .788 

3  .235 

0  .682 
52  .129 
3  .576 

1  023 
2.470 

0 .940 

3  .410 
}  .8S0 
0  .350 

0 .700 


72 


Examples. 

Suppose  6  inches  dip,  by  hot  area. 

24.1  area. 
5  inches. 


If  0.5 

Discount  one-tenth  120.5 


108.45  neat  libs.  wt. 
Duty    -    9.25  or  2|d.  per  lib. 


54225 
21690 
21690 


12)244.0125 

  4 

s.  d.  

20  4.05,00,  or, 

L.  1 : 0 :  4 : 0.05.    See  Table. 


73 


Example, 

Suppose  6  inches  dip,  by  cold  area, 

24.87  area. 
5  inches. 


12435 

Discount  one-tenth  19435 


111.915  neat  libs.  wt. 
Duty    -    2.25  or  2^d.  per  lib. 


559575 
223830 
223830 


12)251.80875 
  4 

s,  d, 

20  11  3.23500,  or, 
i:.  1 : 0 :  1 1 :  3  .235.    See  Table. 


74 

In  casting  the  dip  of  a  soap  frame,  both 
areas  are  used  by  the  Exciseman.    For  in- 
stance, suppose  6  inches  of  warm  soap  be 
allowed  to  cool  in  the  frame,  it  may  be  dis- 
covered to  have  decreased  3,  4,  or^-lOths; 
consequently,  the  soap  must  be  cast  up  by 
the  hot  area  for  the  five  inches  of  original 
dip,  and  by  the  cold  area  for  the  real  dip 
after  cooling,  say  4  inches  7-lOths,  or  4,  6, 
or  4,  6,  &c. ;  and  whichever  of  these  dips 
turn  out  highest,  the  trader  is  charged  with 
for  duty. 

It  might  be  equally  correct,  and  full  more 
convenient  and  expeditious,  to  use,  for  the 
weighing,  or  ascertaining  the  strength  of  the 
leys,  a  glass  hydrometer,  marked  inside  of 
the  tube  with  figures.  These  can  be  had 
from  any  weatherglass-maker.  This  hy- 
drometer may  easily  be  adjusted  to  all  the 
divisions  in  the  foregoing  table,  as  also  to 
I'ain.  liver,  and  distilled  water,  sea  water,  &c.  - 


75 


To  use  the  above  hydrometer,  a  glass  or 
crystal  cylender  will  be  wanted,  the  depth 
of  which  ought  to  be  fully  the  length  of 
the '  hydrometer,  and  of  a  diameter  suffi- 
ciently large  to  admit  the  same  freely. 

When  the  leys  are  to  be  tried,  fill  the 
cylender,  and  introduce  therein  the  hydro- 
meter :  it  will  then  be  seen  which  division, 
or  number,  the  hydrometer  sinks  to ;  con- 
sequently must  exactly  ascertain,  without 
farther  trouble,  the  strength  of  such  leys. 

A  proper  boiling  ley  for  soft  soap,  ought 
to  weigh  about  10  or  11  drams,  which 
makes  a  very  good  medium.  Seven  pounds 
ten  ounces  tallow,  avoirdupois  weight,  is 
supposed  equal  to  a  wine  gallon  nearly ; 
and  pump  water,  the  English  gallon,  should 
weigh  about  8  lib.  2  oz.  10  dr.  avoirdupois 
weight. 

Upon  these  principles,  we  establish  the 
proper  standard  weight  for  English  leys  to 

2 


76 

be  (agreeable  to  the  Table),  parts,  or, 
as  they  are  generally  termed,  carats^  and 
for  foreign  ashes'  lees,  tVh»  or  22  carats. 
We  shall  now  commence  an  operation  with 
a  charge  for  what  is  called 

i-IRST  CROWN  SOFT  SOAP,    18  BARRELS. 

The  quantity  of  leys  requisite  for  com^ 
^  pletion  of  this  charge,  will  be  about  400 
gallons,  the  weight  of  which  to  be  about 

1  U  drams  ;  about  one-third  of  which  must 
be  put  into  the  boiler  previous  to  any  of 
the  other  materials :  afterwards  add,  2  cwt. 

2  qrs.  tallow,  2  cwt.  2  qrs.  hogs-lard,  and 
70  gallons  olive  oil.  The  leys  herein  to  be 
used,  are  supposed  to  be  from  Hungarian 
and  English  (Essex)  ashes.  The  proportion 
is,  one  of  the  English  to  eight  of  the  Hun- 
garian.   The  particular  mode  of  proceed- 


77 


ing  is  thus :  After  the  leys  are  put  in,  add 
the  tallow,  and  light  the  fire.    When  all 
the  tallow  is  melted,  put  in  the  oil,  and 
[   draw  the  fire  a  little  afterwards,  and  allow 
the  pan  to  stand  about  two  hours.  Light 
.   again  the  fire,  and  add  about  20  gallons 
'  more  of  the  leys.    After  the  pan  begins  to 
boil,  add  now  and  then  a  little  more  leys, 
to  the  purpose  of  preventing  the  soap  from 
boiling  over :  and  this  adding  of  lees  to  be 
continued  until  the  soap  is  supposed  to  be 
about  half  boiled  ;  when  it  will  be  time  to 
try,  whether  the  soap  has  got  too  much,  or 
too  little  leys. 

This  trial  is  called  proving^  and  is  neces- 
sary to  i)e  done  several  times  during  the  o- 
peration,  and  previous  to  the  finishing. 
The  method  of  performing  it  is  this :  Pro- 
vide a  piece  of  glazed  Dutch  delft,  and  al- 
so a  clear  clean  knife  :  with  the  knife  take 

3 


78 

up  a  piece  of  the  soap  from  the  pan,  and  if 
it  turn  whitish  thereon,  and  falls  from  it  in 
short  pieces  upon  the  delft,  it  is  then  con- 
cluded too  much  leys  have  been  put  in ;  to 
rectify  which,  a  little  more  oil  must  be  add- 
ed. On  the  contrary,  if  the  soap  wants 
leys,  it  will  fall  from  the  knife  in  long, 
ropy-like  pieces ;  in  consequence  whereof, 
add  some  more  ley.  When,  however,  it 
happens  to  be  brought  to  perfection,  nei- 
ther wanting  more  leys  nor  oil,  but  just  in 
a  right  state  :  it  will  then  be  observed,  that 
when  taken  upon  the  knife,  to  stand  the 
proper  colour,  not  ropy,  nor  too  white, 
but  transparent.  The  fire  may  now  be 
drawn,  the  soap  being  properly  finished, 
and  ought  immediately  to  be  cast  into  the 
barrels,  firkins,  &c. 

Remember  alwayS;>  that  after  the  second 
lime  the  fire  is  liglited,  to  keep  the  soap 


79 

boiling  briskly,  till  the  pan  is  nearly  ready, 
when  it  ought  to  boil  slow,  until  finishing, 
and  ready  to  cast. 


We  have  now  gone  through,  and  finished, 
the  first  pan.  The  second  shall  be  an  ac- 
tual operation,  noting  the  time  spent  there- 
on, and  quantity  of  soap  produced. 

SECOND   CHARGE  FOR  FIRST  CRQWN  SOFT  SOAP, 

The  materials  to  be  used  for  this  purpose 
are  the  following  : 

2!5!4  libs,  tallow, 

166  libs,  hogs-lard, 
55  gallons  rape-seed,  or  olive  oil, 

180  gallons  leys,  weight  m  drams,  from 
pearl  ashes.^ 


80 


The  Process.  In  the  first  place,  put  into 
the  boiler  1 40  gallons  of  leys,  with  the  tal- 
low ;  set  the  fire,  and  when  the  tallow  is 
all  melted,  put  in  the  oil,  and  draw  the 
fire.  Let  all  stand  for  two  hours,  when  the 
fire  may  again  be  lighted,  and  immediately 
20  gallons  of  leys  put  in  :  the  other  20  gal- 
lons was  added  at  different  times,  as  before 
directed,  in  the  course  of  the  boiling.  This 
boiling  commenced  at  M.  past  8,  and  was 
finished  at  E.  past  7,  and  produced  33  firkins 
0f  good  soap. 


A  CHARGE  FOR  SECOND  CROWN  SOFT  SOAP. 

280  libs,  tallow, 

140  gallons  leys,  weight  \  \\  drams^ 
82  gallons  whale  oil. 


81 


Put  in  100  gallons  of  leys,  with  the  tal- 
low, and  light  the  fire.  When  the  tallow 
is  melted,  add  the  oil,  and  draw  the  fire. 
Let  all  stand  for  two  hours.  Again  light 
the  fire,  and  add  20  gallons  of  leys.  With 
this  the  boiling  is  continued  until  the  soap 
is  about  half  finished,  when  10  gallons  more 
leys  is  added.  During  the  remainder  of  the 
boiling,  add,  at  different  periods,  the  other 
10  gallons  leys,  which  will  completely  finish 
the  soap. 


A    CHARGE    FOR    BEST  COMMON    SOFT  SOAP, 

with  Old  Soap  returned. 

f  54  lib.  tallow, 

S3  gallons  train  oil, 
200  gallons  leys,  weight  11  drams,  blue 
pearl  ashes. 


82 


At  M.  6,  charged  with  1 40  gallons  leys, 
and  all  the  tallow,  with  239  lib.  of  old 
soap.  Set  the  fire.  At  8,  the  oil  put  in, 
and  fire  drawn.  At  10,  the  fire  again  light- 
ed, and  40  gallons  of  leys  added.  From 
this  time  till  E.  2,  at  different  times,  add 
about  15  gallons  leys.  From  this  to  .5,  add 
at  different  periods,  6  gallons.  At  6,  the 
five  may  be  draw^n,  and  shortly  thereafter 
the  soap  may  be  cast  into  the  firkins. 


From  these  examples,  founded  upon  real 
operations,  the  making  of  soap  may  be  per- 
formed by  any  person,  although  never  be- 
fore acquainted  with  the  business;  at  the 
same  time  it  may  be  proper  to  inform  such, 
of  the  necessity  there  is,  on  their  part,  of 
strict  attention  during  the  operation :  the 
person  ought  continually  to  be  poring  into 


83 


the  pan,  every  boil  should  particularly  be 
observed,  and  the  difference  noted  between 
the  boil  when  the  soap  is  right,  and  when 
it  is  wrong ;  how  it  boils  when  half  made, 
when  three-fourths  made,  and  in  an  espe- 
cial  manner  at  the  finishing.  These  ob- 
servations made  with  precaution,  will,  with 
a  short  practice,  render  the  operation  fami- 
liar, and  the  workman  complete  master  of 
his  trade. 

We  shall  add  a  few  more  general  observ- 
ations, necessary  to  be  well  studied,  and 
rendered  familiar  to  the  operator. 

To  know  when  the  soap  wants,  or  has 
got  too  much  leys,  observe  the  following 
directions.  Take  about  the  size  of  a  pi- 
geon-egg of  the  soap,  while  hot,  and  put 
it  upon  the  delft.  Observe  if  whitish  streaks 
and  specks  plainly  appear,  and  continues  so 
after  the  soap  grows  pretty  cold.  When 
this  happens,  the  soap  has  got  enough  of 


84 


leys.  If  these  appearances  are  not  evident, 
in  that  event^  the  soap  must  have  more 
leys.  Or,  to  know  if  the  soap  have  got 
enough  of  leys,  dip  the  blade  of  the  knife  into 
the  soap  ;  and  when  coldish,  stroak  the  soap 
off  the  knife  upon  your  forefinger  ;  observe 
if  any  streaks  appear  in  the  soap :  if  any, 
then  the  soap  is  plentifully  supplied  with 
leys  ;  but  if  none,  more  leys  must  be  add- 
ed. It  is  always  a  good  sign  that  soft  soap 
is  enough  boiled,  when,  upon  trial  as  above, 
with  the  soap  on  the  finger,  that  it  stands 
up,  and  appears  with  a  thin  roundish  back  ; 
and  when  right,  it  will  appear  upon  the 
finger  of  a  grayish  colour  at  the  top  of  the 
outer  edge. 

When  different  leys  are  used,  that  is, 
some  strong,  and  others  weak,  particular 
attention  must  be  paid  to  the  proportioning 
the  one  with  the  other,  or,  the  weak  with 
the  strong,  in  order  that  a  proper  strength^ 


85 


or  boiling  ley,  be  had  from  the  composition^ 
If  too  weak  leys  are  used,  there  is  a  danger 
incurred  of  spoiling  the  whole  soap,  which 
is  hardly  to  be  righted  again. 

To  guard  against  this  great  evil,  observe 
the  following  rule :  Suppose  there  is  three 
leys  of  different  qualities  to  be  boiled  with, 
two  of  them  is  over  weak,  one  is  too  strong  j 
try  their  strength  mixed  together,  thus  : 

drams.  drams. 
3  pails,  or  couls,  at  16  each,  is  48 
3  ditto,      ditto,  at  10  ditto,  is  30 
3  ditto,      ditto,  at    8  ditto,  is  24 

9  102 

9)102(1 1|,  or  I,  the  standard  for  boiling  ley* 
9 

12 
9 

H 


86 


We  now  find,  that  an  equal  proportion 
of  these  leys  mixed  together,  produce,  upon 
an  average,  a  medium  weight,  equal  to  the 
standard  for  proper  boiling  lee.  Weak 
leys  take  always  a  larger  quantity,  and 
much  longer  boiling.  On  the  other  hand, 
strong  leys  take  a  less  quantity  to  do  the 
same  work,  and  considerable  less  boiling ; 
consequently,  in  using  a  proper  ley,  both 
time  and  fuel  is  saved. 

That  soap-boiling  is  so  bad  and  unprofit- 
able a  trade,  as  many  represent  it,  I  cannot 
see.  Such  ought  always  to  give  some  rea- 
son for  their  assertion.  If  that  was  the 
case,  it  is  strongly  impressed  upon  my  mind, 
that  the  ignorance  of  the  principles  of  soap- 
making,  will  be  found  to  be  the  sole  cause 
of  numbers  failing,  that  have  imprudently 
entered  into  an  unknown,  and,  conse- 
quently, critical  and  unprofitable  manufac- 
tory. 


87 


I  shall  here  give  an  experiment,  made 
with  great  precision,  to  ascertain  with  re- 
gard to  the  expence  attending  the  making 
of  white  soap.  The  only  materials  used, 
of  the  alkali  kind,  was  the  second  sort  of 
American  pot-ash,  but  of  a  quality  very  su- 
perior to  what  commonly  is  sold  under  that 
denomination. 

I  broke  down  pretty  small  a  quarter 
cwt.  of  the  above  American  pot ;  and,  with 
a  proportionate  quantity  of  good  lime- 
shells,  mixed  therewith,  set  them  in  a  small 
yetlin  cave.  I  added  w^ater  just  sufficient 
to  saturate  the  mixture.  In  this  state,  hav- 
ing stood  for  about  19  or  14  hours,  I  let  it 
run,  and  drew  off  4  English  gallons  of  ley, 
which  I  ascertained,  by  my  hydrometer,  to 
be  i4i  strong.  I  filled  up  my  cave  with 
water,  and  continued  the  running  slowly 
until  I  had  28  gallons  more,  of  strength  by 
hydrometer  18  strong.    I  then  stopped  up 

2 


m 

my  cave  from  running,  and  proceeded 
to  calculate  the  value  of  my  ley,  as  fol- 
lows : 

In  the  first  place,  I  find  that  l-4th  cwt. 
of  American  pot,  at  56s.  per  cwt.  (their 
real  price  at  the  time)  is  13s.  9d.  which 
must  be  the  value  also  of  my  32  gallons  of 
leys,  drawn  from  the  ashes.  At  that  rate, 
the  English  pint  is  worth  about  two  far- 
things and  one  half  farthing,  I  now  pro- 
ceeded further  to  complete  my  experiment, 
and  satisfy  myself  at  what  expence  white 
soap  could  be  made.  For  this  purpose,  I 
charged  a  small  boiler,  which  holds  about 
li  gallons,  with  4  libs,  of  good  rhinded  tal- 
low, and  with  10  pints  of  the  ley  of  the 
weaker  sort,  or  second  running,  which  had 
been  kept  separate.  The  pan  boiled  very 
close,  that  is,  the  leys  and  tallow  became  one 
mass  of  seemingly  thin  soap,  without  any 
appearance  of  separation  betwixt  the  leys 


89 


and  tallow.    In  this  state  of  the  pan,  I  was 
I   obliged  to  add  a  little  salt  and  water,  which 
brought  about  a  separation  in  a  short  time. 
I  then  let  my  pan  stand  off  the  fire  for  half 
an  hour,  when  the  weak  leys  cranned  freely 
I   off.    I  now  added  6  pints  of  same  leys,  for 
second  boil.    This  had  the  effect  totally  to 
kill  the  tallow,  and  bring  the  soap  to  a 
I    pretty  strong  consistence,  and  the  leys  cran- 
ned off  without  salt  in  half  an  hour.    I  then 
prepared  for  third  boil,  by  adding  7  pints 
more  of  same  leys,  18  strong,  and  boiled 
half  an  hour.    The  soap  appeared  now 
strong,  but  rather  close ;  and  this  closeness 
L  attributed  to  too  much  salt ;  to  rectify 
which,  I  added  between  one  and  two  pints 
of  water.    This,  in  a  short  time,  had  the 
effect  to  bring  on  a  separation.    The  pan 
was  taken  off  the  fire,  and  allowed  to  stand 
about  an  hour  and  a  half,  when  it  parted 
freely  with  all  the  leys.    Nothing  remained 

3 


90 


now  to  be  done  but  finishing,  which  I  com- 
pleted with  between  3  and  4  pints  of  water 
(some  salt  also  was  used),  in  the  course 
of  an  hour  and  quarter.  The  pan  was  now 
taken  off  the  fire,  and  allowed  to  cool  for 
24  hours,  when  I  found,  upon  weighing,  I 
had  lOi  libs,  of  good  white  soap.  Upon 
looking  oyer  my  jottings,  taken  during  the 
operation,  I  found  that  there  had  been  used 
about  23  pints  of  leys,  and  about  3  libs,  of 
salt* 

The  expence  of  the  whole  will  be  evi- 
dent, by  the  following  correct  statement 
viz. 


91 

X.  s.  d. 

To  tallow,  4  libs,  at  7id.  per  lib.  .  0  2  6 
„  Leys,  23  pints,  at  2i  farthings 

per  pint,  0  1  2^ 

„  Salt,  3  libs,  at  id.jwer  lib.  ...  0  0  1| 
„  Duty  charged  on  lOilib.  soap, 

at  2id.  per  lib, — say  .....  0  1  9 

„  Fire,  &c.  about   0  0  2| 

Total  expence,  .  .  L.  0    5  9 
By  XOi  libs,  soap,  at  9d.  per  lib. 
(white  soap  was  at  that  time 
selling  in  the  shops  at  lOd.)  .  .  0    7  10^ 

Neat  profit,      L.  0  2 


i 


92 

It  seems  now  very  plain,  that  if  23  pints 
of  leys,  as  above,  produce  of  neat  profit 
2s.  lid. ;  that  256  pints,  the  whole  produce 
of  the  quarter  hundred  of  ashes,  will  be 
23s.  2^d.  or  at  the  rate  of  L.  4,  12s,  9d. 
per  cwt. ;  and  as  more  of  the  weak  leys  were 
still  to  run,  the  profit,  of  course,  must  have 
been  something  more.  I  proceeded  in  this 
experiment  no  further  with  the  remainder 
of  the  leys,  which  must,  if  used,  have  also 
necessarily  been  productive,  as  above  men- 
tioned, of  more  profit.  Upon  the  whole, 
I  find  by  calculation,  that  the  cwt,  of  soap, 
including  materials,  duty,  fire,  &c.  will  cost 
the  manufacturer  L.  3,  Is.  4d.,  or  L.  61,  6s. 
8d.  per  tun  of  20  cwt.  for  white  soap,  which 
will  appear  evident  by  the  following  state- 
ment : 


4 


93 


lii.  soap         t,  3,  lib. 

If  lOf  cost  5  9,  what  will  1 12  cost? 
2       12  2 

21       69  224  half  libs. 

69 


2016 
1344 


12) 

21)15456;(736( 

147   

  6 is,  4d.  Or, 

75 

63 

126 
126 


L.  3  :  1  :  4  per  cwt.  Or, 
61:6:8  per  ton, 

L,    vs.  d. 

One  ton  soap,  at  9d.  per  lib.  comes 

to   84    0  0 

Deduct  expences  ...  6 1    6  8 

Neat  profit ...  L.  22  13  4 


94 

It  will  be  proper  to  observe,  that  the  a- 
tove  experiment  was  made  with  the  best 
home  melted  tallow.  If  foreign  tallow,  ac- 
cording to  the  general  run  of  such,  had 
been  used,  the  produce  would  have  been 
far  from  being  so  beneficially  productive. 
However,  a  much  smaller  profit  would  be 
convincing,  that  the  trade  was  not  that 
losing  one,  which  many  ignorant  and  un- 
fortunate adventurers  have  taught  us,  from 
their  experience,  to  imagine. 


Another  experiment  with  the  same  quan- 
tity of  tallow  (4  lib.),  but  foreign,  and  a- 
bove  six  years  old,  was  tried  with  Peters- 
burg pearl  ash-ley.  The  operation  was 
completed  at  three  boils,  and  there  was 
used  1 4  Enghsh  pints  of  the  ley  ;  and  the 
produce  of  the  soap  turned  out  to  be  seven 
and  one  half  pounds. 


95 

The  calculation  may  stand  thus,  viz. 


To  4  lib.  tallow,  at  7d.  per  lib.  .024 
„  14  pints  ley,  at  2f  farthings 

per  pint                            0  0  8-| 

„  2  lib.  salt  O  0  1 

Duty  on  71^  lib.  soap,  at  2|d.  per 

lib. — 10  per  cent,  off  0  1  4 

Fire,  about  0  0  2 

L.  0    4  7| 

7\  lib.  soap,  at  9d.  per  lib   0    5  7^ 

L.  0    0  11| 

The  neat  profit  here  may  be  called  one 
shilling. 

Upon  a  calculation  of  working  even  with 
these  coarse  and  improper  materials,  judi- 
ciously managed,  there  is  an  evident  gain  of 
above  iOs,  6d.  per  cwt.  or  L.  10:  10s.  per 
ton. 


96 


As  mistakes  by  Excise-officers  are  not  at 
all  improbable,  in  casting  up  gauges  of  soap, 
it  is  proper  that  every  soap-maker  should 
cast  up  his  own,  after  the  dip  of  the  frame 
is  ascertained  by  the  ofRcer,  supervisor,  &c. 
And  as  many  of  the  trade  may  not  be  ac- 
quainted with  the  precise  mode  of  doing  so, 
a  specimen  of  the  work  may  be  acceptable, 
and  proper  here  to  be  added.  For  that  pur- 
pose, it  may  be  supposed  that  the  dip  of 
the  soap  in  the  frame,  as  taken  by  the  offi- 
cer, is  30  inches  and  9-lOths.  The  areas, 
by  which  the  Excise-officers  make  their 
calculations,  are  established  by  law  to  be 
24  lib.  and  1-1 0th  of  a  lib.  upon  every 
inch  of  the  dip  of  the  frame.  This  is  call- 
ed the  hot  dip^  and  will  generally  carry  the 
gauge,  providing  no  cold  dip  is  got,  or  that 


97 

be  less.  The  area  for  the  cold  dip  is  24.87. 
The  Excise  always  takes  the  highest  amount. 


Example  of  the  above  supposed  Dip. 

30.y 
24.1 


.  yo.9 

1236 
6lS 


744.69 
74469 


070.221 
1340 

167|  qrs.  rem. 
12)1507 


20)125  :7d.  rem. 

L.  6 : 5 :  7|d.  the  neat  duty  for  30  inches 
9- 1  Oths,  exclusive  of  the 
fraction. 

And  for  -working  bj  the  Cold  Area,  see  p.  7;3. 

I 


APPENDIX. 


NO  I. 


A 

SHORT  DISSERTATION 

ON 

SPOILED  HARD  SOAP. 

IN^  the  preceding  pages,  we  have  supposed 
every  thing  to  go  right,  with  regard  to  the 
noanufacturing  of  the  different  soaps.  It 
may  be  proper,  however,  to  mention,  that 
a  boiling  of  hard  soap  sometimes  may  mis- 
give, or  go  wrong.    It  is  then  said  to  be  a 


ioo 


spoiled  pan.  In  this  state,  much  trouble 
and  expence,  to  an  inexperienced  boiler, 
is  the  consequence,  before  such  soap  can 
again  be  brought  right.  By  attending,  how- 
ever, to  the  rules  already  laid  down,  cir- 
cumstances such  as  this  will  seldom  happen. 
For  the  benefit  and  instruction  of  the  reader, 
a  case  of  the  kind  which  once  occurred  to 
the  certain  knowledge  of  the  author,  may 
here  be  inserted,  together  Vvith  its  unfortu- 
nate issue. 

Indeed,  instances  of  what  are  called  spoiled 
pans  of  soap,  or,  soap,  from  inexperience,  in 
the  course  of  making,  converted  into  an 
uncommon  mass,  so  as  to  baffle  the  utmost 
skill  of  the  manufacturer  to  redeem,  or  set 
to  rights  again,  have  frequently  happen- 
ed ;  though,  with  the  experienced  and  well- 
informed  soap-maker,  such  disasterous  fail- 
ures will  seldom  or  never  occur,  the  causes 
to  him  being  evident.    To  illustrate  these 


101 

observations,  the  circumstances  of  the  case 
^    alluded  to  are  the  following,  viz. 

One  evening,  accidentally  meeting  witli 
an  intimate  acquaintance  belonging  to  the 
Excise,  he  mentioned,  that  one  of  his  traders 
(in  the  soap  line)  had  been  working  with  a 
pan  of  soap  these  three  or  four  wrecks,  and 
had  brought  it  into  such  a  state  that  he 
seemed  completely  bewildered,  and  unable 
further  to  proceed.  He  begged  I  w^ould 
step  along  with  him,  take  a  look  at  it, 
and  give  the  poor  man  my  advice,  so  as 
to  help  him  on,  if  possible.    This  man's  pe- 

p  cuniary  circumstances  were  such,  that,  as 
represented  by  my  friend,  the  failure  of 
this  pan  of  soap  w^ould  ultimately  \vork  his 

i  ruin.  Sympathy,  therefore,  for  the  poor 
man,  induced  me  to  comply  with  this  re-^ 
quest,  and  take  a  look  of  the  soap  in  the 
boiler  :  but  such  a  sight,  in  fact,  I  never 


102 


before  witnessed.  I  found  the  pan  almost 
brimful ;  and,  upon  dipping  in  my  finger, 
and  applying  it  to  the  tonguC;,  I  discovered 
the  pan  to  be  completely  choked  or  poi- 
soned with  salt.  On  inquiry  I  learned,  that 
he  had  expended  more  materials  upon  this 
single  pan  of  soap,  than,  with  proper  ma- 
nagement;^  might  have  completed  three 
such  boilings.  Leys  had  been  added  in 
their  mild  state,  W'hich  always  have  the 
tendency  to  run  the  materials  into  a  kind 
\^f  entire  mass,  and  preventing  the  possi- 
bility of  extracting  the  leys  therefrom,  the 
whole  being  converted  into  a  kind  of  thin 
soap.  In  this  state  of  a  soap  pan,  it  is  usual 
to  add  some  common  salt,  to  facilitate  the 
separation  of  the  leys  from  the  other  ma- 
terials, which  generally  has  that  effect,  (pro- 
vided the  leys  boiled  with  were  weak  cau- 
stic ley)  :  But,  if  the  leys  were  mild,  the 
fixed  air  not  having  been  properly  extracted, 


i03 


the  common  salt,  in  that  case,  fails  of  the 
desu'ed  effect,  and  rather  confirms  the  dis- 
order. This  m.an  had  added  salt  in  abun- 
dance, then  strong  mild  ley,  then  salt  again, 
and  more  strong  ley,  until  his  boiler  was  so 
filled,  that  want  of  room  only  prevented 
him  from  putting  in  more.  He  told  me,  he 
thought  a  fresh  cave  of  strong  ley  would  be 
necessary  to  cut  her  up.  My  opinion  to 
him  was,  that  too  much  of  that  had  already 
been  applied ;  but  that,  if  he  w^ould  submit 
to  my  advice,  I  thought  his  pan,  in  a  day 
or  two,  might  be  again  brought  to  rights. 
What  is  to  be  done,  then  ?  says  he.  In  the 
first  place,  I  told  him  to  put  in  immediately 
two  or  three  pails  of  water.  This  surprised 
him  much  ;  and  Vv^ith  a  kind  of  seeming  re- 
luctance, consented  that  L  should  have  my 
own  way.  As  there  v/as  but  little  room  in 
the  pan  for  boiling,  a  very  gentle  fire  coukl 
only  be  kept  up.    This,  however,  had  the 


104 

wished-for  effect:,  of  opening  the  pan,  or 
causing  a  small  separation  of  the  leys  in  a 
short  time,  which  was  all  that  could  at  pre- 
sent be  done.    I  intended  next  day  to  have 
drawn  off  as  much  of  this  salt  ley  as  pos- 
sible ;  consequently,  procure  a  little  more 
room  to  work  in  ;  and  afterwards,  by  add- 
ing more  water,  the  salt  leys  would  by  de- 
grees be  perfectly  extracted,  the  pan  sweet- 
ened, and  brought  into  a  fit  trim  for  finish- 
ing.   When  I  observed  the  above  appear- 
ance of  opening,  I  left  him,  with  instruc- 
tions to  keep  a  slow  fire  for  about  an  hour 
or  so  longer,  when  it  might 'be  drawn  away ; 
and  to-morrow  morning  I  should  call,  and 
inform  him  what  further  was  to  be  done. 
Instead,  however,  of  paying  proper  atten- 
tion to  my  directions,  which  was,  to  avoid 
using  *any  more  ley,  he,  as  soon  as  my 
back  was  turned,    prepared  more  strong 
mild  leys,  and  put  them  into  the  boiler;  by 


105 


which  the  soap  was  set  back  to  its  original 
close  state.  Upon  my  being  informed  of  a 
conduct  so  preposterous  and  stupid,  I  de^ 
clined  my  intended  visit  next  morning,  and 
allowed  this  infatuated  man  to  exercise  the 
freedom  of  his  own  will.  The  consequence 
was,  that  the  pan  never  afterwards  could, 
by  any  expedient  he  possibly  might  con- 
trive, be  again  brought  to  rights ;  he  at 
last  gave  it  up  ;  and  the  spoiled  stufF  was, 
with  his  utensils,  &c.  afterwards  sold  by  the 
Excise  for  arrears. 

The  unfortunate  issue  of  this  pan  of  soap, 
plainly  demonstrates  the  serious  effects  of 
inexperience  and  ignorance  in  the  know- 
ledge of  the  original  materials.  For  had 
this  man  allowed  the  salt  leys  to  have  been 
washed  off  his  soap,  and  then  given  a  boil 
of  a  weak  caustic  ley,  his  soap  might  have 
been  finished  Vv^ith  propriety,  and  turned 


106 


out  well.  The  extracted  salt  leys,  by  being 
run  through  a  lime  cave,  might  have  been 
converted  into  a  good  caustic  ley,  and  used 
over  again  with  advantage.  , 

Soap-makers  will  do  well  to  consider  this 
case  with  attention.  By  so  doing,  disagree- 
able circumstances  of  a  similar  nature  may 
be  avoided  \  and,  consequently,  much  time, 
expences,  and  an  infinite  quantity  of  trou»* 
ble,  saved.  .  No  soap-ley  at  any  time  ought 
to  be  used,  but  such  as,  by  experiment,  is 
proved  to  be  a  caustic  ley,  entirely  freed 
from  its  fixed  air.  And  it  is  with  much  sa- 
tisfaction we  present  the  reader,  in  the  fol- 
lowing Number,  with  the  experiments  of 
an  able  and  justly  celebrated  chemist, 
made  expressly  with  the  view  of  ascertain- 
ing this  important  and  fundamental  requi- 
site in  soap-making,  and  therefore  can  with 
confidence  be  recommended  to  the  practicQ 
of  the  manufacturer. 


107 


No  IL 

PkEPARATION  for  a  SOAP-^LEY. 
By  Dr.  Joseph  Black,  Professor  of  Che- 
mistry in  the  Univeisity  of  Edinburgh.^ 
(Referred  to,  p.  45.  of  this  Work.  J 

THE  celebrated  Dn  Joseph  Black,  professor 
of  chemistry  in  the  University  of  Edinburgh, 
in  an  experiment  made  with  a  view  to  in- 
vestigate the  nature  and  properties  of  the 
caustic  alkali,  proceeds  thus  *  : 

^  I  made  a  caustic  or  soap-ley  in  the  fol- 
lowing manner : 


*  Sec  his  Experiments  upon  Magnesia  Alba,  Quick- 
lime, and  other  Alkaline  Substances, 


108 


Twenty-six  ounces  of  very  strong  quick- 
lime, made  of  chalk,  were  slaked,  or  reduced 
to  a  sort  of  fluid  paste,  with  eleven  pounds 
of  boiling  water,  and  then  mixed  in  a  glass 
vessel  with  eighteen  ounces  of  a  pure  fixed 
alkaline  salt,  which  had  been  first  dissolved 
in  libs  of  water.  This  mixture  was  sha- 
ken frequently  for  two  hours,  when  the  ac- 
tion of  the  lime  upon  the  alkali  was  sup- 
posed to  be  over,  and  nothing  remained  but 
to  separate  them  again  from  one  another. 
I  therefore  added  12  hbs.  of  water,  stirred 
up  the  hme,  and,  after  allowing  it  to  settle 
again,  poured  off  as  much  of  the  clear  ley 
as  possible." 

Another  method  of  the  same  professor  is, 
One  part  of  a  pure  fixed  alkaline  salt  to 
three  parts  of  common  limestone,  fresh 
slaked  and  sifted,  for  a  common  or  ordinary 
soap-ley.    He  then  proceeds  thus : 


109 


"  The  lime  and  alkali  were  mixed  toge- 
ther, under  the  form  of  a  very  thick  milky 
liquor,  or  fluid  paste  ;  because  they  are  thus 
kept  in  perpetual  contact  and  equal  mix- 
ture, until  they  have  acted  sufficiently  upon 
one  another  :  whereas,  in  the  common  way, 
of  using  a  larger  quantity  of  water,  the  lime 
lies  for  the  most  part  at  bottom ;  and, 
though  stirred  up  ever  so  often,  cannot 
exert  its  influence  so  fully  upon  the  alkali, 
which  is  uniformly  diffused  through  every 
part  of  the  liquor. 

The  above  ley  was  found,  upon  trial, 
to  be  saturated  by  acids,  without  the  least 
effervescence,  or  diminution  of  weight." 

K 


110 


The  author,  in  the  preceding  parts  of  this 
treatise,  has  endeavoured  to  furnish  the  at- 
tentive reader  with,  what  he  trusts,  an  ac- 
curate and  comprehensive  idea,  both  of  the 
materials  proper  for,  and  the  process  neces- 
sary to,  the  successful  manufacturing  of 
Hard  and  Soft  Soap.  One  necessary  piece 
of  knowledge,  however,  to  every  soap-maker, 
and  intimately  connected  with  the  present 
wwk,  still  remains  to  be  taken  notice  of, 
viz.  The  Revenue  Lan  s^  by  which  every  soap 
manufactory  must  be  strictly  regulated.  The 
want  of  such  knowledge  might  frequently 
hazard  mistakes,  and  ultimately  incur  pe- 
nalties altogether  undeserved.  To  guard 
him,  therefore,  against  such  serious  conse- 
quences, the  utility  of  annexing  to  this 


Ill 

work  a  view  of  the  principal  of  these  laws, 
peculiar  to  hard  and  soft  soap-makers,  must 
appear  highly  proper  :  and  moreover,  it  is 
also  presumed,  will  be  singularly  acceptable 
to  such  traders  as  may  not  formerly  have  had 
an  opportvmity  of  supplying  themselves  with 
the  statutes  thereanent  made  and  provided ; 
and,  by  being  concisely  collected  and  brought 
under  immediate  review,  every  person  inte- 
rested may  upon  all  occasions  have  it  in  his 
power  to  refer  with  greater  facility  and  ease 
than  to  the  printed  detached  acts  them- 
selves.  What  follows,  therefore,  are  ab- 
stracts of  these  statutes,  chiefly  taken  from 
an  Abridgment  of  the  Excise  Laws.  But  as 
the  act  24th  Geo.  III.  Jor  the  better  securing 
the  duties  on  soap^  is  amongst  the  last  gene- 
ral statutes  upon  the  subject,  containing 
much  useful  information  to  the  soap  maker, 
and  the  more  worthy  of  his  attention,  as 
comprehending  the  substance  of  most  oC 

2 


J 12 

the  former  laws  with  regard  to  the  manu- 
facturing, 8cc.  of  soap,  it  has  therefore  been 
thought  essential  to  subjoin,  from  the  act 
itself,  the  v/hole  of  the  clauses  of  that  sta. 
tute,  in  so  far  only  as  they  are  particularly 
connected  with  the  soap-maker.  (See  se- 
giiei,  p.  121.) 


113 


NO  m. 

ABSTRACT  of  the  principal  EXCISE 
LAWS,  peculiar  to  Hard  and  Soft 
Soap-Makers. 


Allowances  for  Spoiled  Soap,  Cuttings,  ^-c. 

10th  Ann,  C.  19,  Sect.  28.  Vol.  II,  p.  299. 
And  1 1th  Geo.  I.  G.  30,  Sect.  36,  37, 
38.    Vol.  Ill,  p.  510. 

Whenever  stale,  or  rotten  soap,  or  cuttings, 
for  which  the  duties  have  been  charged, 
shall  be,  in  presence  of  the  officer,  put 

3 


114 

again  into  the  copper  or  pan  to  be  renewed, 
he  shall  make  an  allowance  of  the  duty  of 
the  same,  and  certify  every  such  allowance 
upon  his  report  of  charges  to  be  returned  : 
But  if  previous  notice,  in  writing, — of  twelve 
hours  in  the  mortality-bill  limits — twenty- 
four  hours  elsewhere — of  the  time  intended 
for  such  putting  thereof  into  any  making  of 
soap,  be  not  given  to  the  proper  officer,  he 
shall  not  certify  such  putting  in. — A  false 
certificate  by  him  incurs  a  penalty  of  10s. 
per  lib.  and  the  maker  the  like  sum,  for 
what  quantity  he  claims  any  benefit  for. 


115 


The  aforesaid  Allowance  repealed. 

4th  Geo.  III.  Sect.  16.  20.    P.  44-  53. 

The  aforesaid  allowance,  with  respect  to 
hard  soap  only,  repealed;  and  in  lieu  there- 
of, the  makers  of  hard  soap  shall  be  allow- 
ed, in  the  officer's  returns  or  reports  of  the 
charges  of  hard  soap  made  upon  them,  one 
lib.  in  every  10  lib.  thereof,  in  full  compen- 
sation for  all  waste,  losses,  or  damages  what- 
ever :  And  if  any  hard  soap  (whether  per- 
fectly made  or  not),  after  being  cleansed 
or  framed,  shall  be  put  again,  on  any  pre- 
tence, into  the  copper  or  other  utensil  for 
boiling  or  reworking  the  same,  shall  be 
again  charged  with  the  duty. 


116 


Legal  Frames  for  Hard  Soap^  and  also  to  be 
entered* 

Act  5th  Geo.  III.  C.  43,  Sect.  19.    P.  51. 

No  maker  of  hard  soap  shall  use  any  other 
kind  of  vessel  for  cleansing,  or  putting  his 
hard  soap  (whether  perfectly  made  or  not) 
into,  when  taken  out  of  the  copper  or  other 
utensil  wherein  boiled  or  prepared,  than  re- 
gular square  or  oblong  frames  only ;  and  of 
each  such  frame,  the  bottom,  sides,  and  ends, 
shall  respectively  be  at  least  two  inches 
thick,  and  the  length  shall  not  exceed  45 
in<:hes,  nor  the  breadth  15  inches  :  Nor 
shall  he  use  any  such  frame,  till  he  give  no- 


117 


tice  thereof  in  writing  at  the  office  next  to 
the  place  where  such  soap  shall  be  made, 
nor  before  it  be  marked  and  numbered  by 
direction  of  the  surveyor  or  supervisor,  at 
such  maker's  expence  ;  under  the  penalty 
of  L.  20  for  every  such  respective  offence. 


Legal  Casks  for  Soft  Soap* 

Act  10th  Ann,  C.  19.  Sect.  8-  and  C.  26. 
Sect.  III.  V.  11.  P.  274.  398. 

All  soft  soap  (only),  upon  the  making 
thereof,  shall  be  put  by  the  maker  into 
casks  of  the  following  respective  contents 
only,  viz,  barrels  to  contain  256  lib ;  half 
barrels,  1 28  lib.  ;  firkins,  64  lib. ;  and  half 
firkins  32  lib.  all  avoirdupois,  besides  the 
weight  or  tare  of  the  cask,  on  pain  of  for-- 


118 


feiting  L.  5  for  every  offence  or  neglect 
therein. 


And  by  12th  Ann,  St.  2.  C.  9.  Sect.  19. 
V.  II.  P.  439,  To  prevent  the  fraudulent 
practices  of  making  soap  in  secret  places, 
and  sending  it  out  in  smai/  casks ;  all  soft 
soap  that  shall  be  filled  in  any  other  cask 
less  than  barrels,  half-barrels,  firkins,  and 
half-firkins,  shall  be  forfeited,  and  also  L.  5 
by  the  maker  of  it ;  half  thereof  to  the 
seizer  or  informer,  and  half  to  the  poor  of 
the  parish  where  such  ojffence  shall  be  com- 
mitted. 


119 


JVho  are  not  qualified  to  be  Makers  of  Soap^ 
though  making  Entry. 

Notwithstanding  the  laws  already  made 
for  securing  the  soap-duties,  and  protecting 
the  fair  trader,  many  gross  frauds  are  daily 
practised  by  evil-minded  and  indigent  per- 
sons, who  make  soap,  and  abscond  before  the 
duties  can  be  recovered,  and  by  other  methods 
have  evaded  the  duty ;  and  having  been  en- 
couraged thereto  from  the  great  length  of 
time  allowed  by  1 0th  Ann,  c.  19.  sect.  9-  II. 
(Vol.  II,  p.  §75.  278.)  for  making  entry  of 
their  soap,  and  payment  of  the  duty,  and  for 
want  of  further  regulations ;  the  said  recited 
two  clauses  are  hereby  repealed,  and  no  per- 
son whatever  shall  be  permitted  to  make 


120 


any  soap,— if  residing  within  the  limits  of  the 
head  Excise-office  in  London,  unless  occu* 
pying  a  tenement  or  tenements  of  the  yearly 
value  of  at  least  L.  10,  and  for  which  assess- 
ed in  his  own  name,  and  paying  to  the  parish 
rates ;  in  any  other  part  of  Great  Britain 
where  there  are  rates  to  church  and  poor, 
unless  assessed  and  paying  to  church  and 
poor  in  the  parish  or  place  wherein  resid- 
ing ; — and  no  entry  already,  or  hereafter 
made,  of  any  soap-house,  workhouse,  or 
place  for  making  soap,  shall  be  of  any  avail 
to  any  person  or  persons  not  so  qualified, 
or  for  longer  time  than  so  qualified  :  And 
every  person  making  soap,  and  not  so  qua- 
lified, shall,  notwithstanding  any  entry  by 
him  or  them  made,  be  deemed  and  taken 
to  be  persons  making  soap  without  entry, 
and  shall  be  subject  to  the  like  penalties 
and  forfeitures,  by  the  former  statutes,  as 
persons  making  soap  without  entry. 


121 


jFbr  better  securing  the  Duties  on  Soap. 

Act  24th  Geo.  III.  Sect.  7th— 14th,  in- 
clusive. 

And  whereas,  notwithstanding  the  laws 
now  in  force  for  securing  the  duties  on  soap, 
many  frauds  are  still  frequently  practised, 
to  the  great  loss  of  the  revenue,  and  to  the 
injury  of  the  fair  trader,  and  some  better 
regulations  in  the  manner  of  carrying  on 
the  soap-making  business  are  still  wanting  ; 
for  remedy  thereof,  be  it  enacted,  by  the 
authority  aforesaid,  That  from  and  after  the 
20th  day  of  September  1784^  all  and  every 
the  officers  of  Excise  shall  at  all  times,  by 
day  or  by  night,  and  without  waiting  for 

L 


122 


the  presence  of  a  constable  or  peace-officer/ 
be  permitted,  upon  his  or  their  request,  to 
enter  into  the  house,  boihng-house,  ware- 
house, or  other  place  whatsoever,  belonging 
to  or  used  by  any  maker  or  makers  of 
any  soap  whatsoever,  and,  by  gauging  or 
weighing  of  the  soap,  or  otherwise,  as  to 
such  officer  shall  seem  most  proper  and  con- 
venient, to  take  an  account  of  the  just 
quantity  of  the  soap  v/hich  shall  have  been 
made  by  such  maker  or  makers  of  soap  from 
time  to  time ;  and  also  to  take  an  account 
of  all  materials  for  the  making  of  soap,  in 
the  possession  or  custody  of  such  maker  or 
makers  of  soap  ;  and  all  and  every  the  offi- 
cers of  Excise  shall  be  permitted  to  stay 
and  remain  in  such  house,  boiling-house, 
warehouse,  or  other  place,  belonging  to  or 
used  by  such  maker  or  makers  of  soap,  or 
in  any  of  such  places,  so  long  as  such  officer 
or  officers  shall  think  lit. 


12a 


And,  for  the  better  preventing  the  frauds 
frequently  committed  by  divers  makers  of 
soap,  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  autho- 
rity aforesaid,  That  from  and  after  the  said 
20th  day  of  September  1784,  no  maker  of 
soap  shall  have  or  keep  any  pipe  or  other 
conveyance  from  or  to  any  copper  or  pan 
made  use  of  in  the  boiling  or  making  of 
soap,  save  and  except  one  moveable  pump 
for  taking  out  salt  or  spent  leys,  which 
pump  shall  be  taken  out  of  such  copper  or 
pan  before  the  copper  or  pan  shall  be  locked 
down  by  the  ofHcer  ;  and  that  no  maker  .of 
soap  shall  have  any  cock,  or  perforation,  or 
hole,  in  the  side  or  curb,  or  bottom  or  co- 
ver of  his  or  her  boiler  or  copper,  nor  shall 
have  any  part  of  the  curb  moveable,  nor 
shall  use  any  syphon,  crane,  or  trinket,  but 
shall  take  out  all  leys,  soap,  or  other  in- 
gredients, contained  in  the  said  copper  or 
boiler,  by  a  pump,  or  by  a  ladle  only  ;  on 

2 


124 


pain  that  any  maker  of  soap,  having  or 
keeping  any  pipe  or  other  conveyance  from 
or  to  any  copper  or  pan  made  use  of  in  the 
boiling  or  making  of  soap,  save  and  except 
such  pump  as  aforesaid,  or  having  any  cock, 
or  perforation,  or  hole,  in  the  side  or  curb, 
or  bottom  or  cover,  of  his  or  her  boiler  or 
copper,  or  having  any  part  of  the  curb 
moveable,  or  using  any  syphon,  crane,  or 
trinket,  shall  forfeit  and  lose,  for  every 
such  offence,  the  sum  of  L.  500  :  Provided 
always.  That  it  shall  be  lawful  for  every 
maker  of  soap  to  have,  in  the  cover  of  his 
or  her  copper  or  boiler,  small  holes,  not  ex- 
ceeding one-eighth  of  an  inch  in  diameter, 
for  the  steam  to  escape  through  the  same. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  au- 
thority  aforesaid,  That  from  and  after  the 
said  20th  day  of  September  1784,  the  cover 
and  furnace  door,  and  ash-hole  door  of  every 
copper,  pan,  or  other  utensil  used  by  any 


125 


maker  of  hard  soap  for  the  boihng  or  mak'- 
ing  of  soap,  shall,  and  they  are  hereby  re- 
quired, to  be  securely  locked,  fastened,  and 
sealed  down,  by  the  officer  or  officers  of 
Excise  who  survey  such  trader,  at  all  times, 
except  when  such  copper,  pan,  or  other  u- 
tensils,  shall  be  at  work,  or  shall  be  opened 
for  repairing  the  same,  or  for  the  inspection 
of  an  officer  or  officers  of  Excise  ;  and  pro- 
per locks  and  keys,  and  all  other  necessary 
fastenings,  for  securing  and  sealing  the  said 
covers  and  furnace  and  ash-hole  doors  of 
every  such  copper,  pan,' or  other  utensil, 
shall  be  provided  by  the  respective  surveyors 
and  supervisors  of  Excise  of  the  respective 
districts  or  divisions  in  w^hich  such  makers 
of  soap  shall  respectively  reside,  at  the  ex- 
pence  of  the  respective  makers  in  each  di- 
vision or  district ;  and  whenever  such  maker 
of  soap  shall  be  desirous  of  opening  such  ' 


126 


eopper,  pan,  or  other  utensil,  or  the  furnace 
or  ash-hole  door  thereof,  and  shall  have  gi- 
ven to  the  officer  of  Excise  of  the  division 
or  district  twelve  hours  notice  thereof,  if 
such  maker  of  soap  shall  reside  within  the 
limits  of  the  chief  office  of  Excise  in  Lon- 
don,  or  tw^enty-four  hours  notice  thereof, 
if  such  maker  of  soap  shall  reside  in  any 
other  part  of  Great  Britain,  then  the  officer 
of  Excise  shall  attend  to  open  such  copper, 
pan,  or  other  utensil,  or  the  furnace  or  ash- 
hole  door  thereof ;  and  if,  by  any  means, 
art,  device,  or  contrivance  whatsoever,  any 
person  shall  open  any  such  copper,  pan,  or 
other  utensil,  or  the  furnace  or  ash-hole 
door  thereof,  after  the  same  shall  have  been 
locked  and  secured  as  aforesaid,  before  the 
same  shall  have  been  unlocked  and  opened 
by  the  officer  of  Excise,  or  shall  wilfully 
damage  or  hurt  any  such  lock  or  other  fast- 


127 

ening,  every  such  person  shall,  for  every 
such  offence  respectively,  forfeit  and  lose 
the  sum  of  L.  100. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  That  from  and  after  the 
said  20th  day  of  September  1784,  if  any 
maker  or  makers  of  soap  shall  obstruct  or 
hinder  any  officer  of  Excise  in  the  execu- 
tion of  the  powers  or  authorities  given  to 
him  or  them  by  this  or  any  other  act  for  the 
ascertaining  or  securing  the  duties  upon 
soap,  the  person  or  persons  offending  there- 
in shall,  for  every  such  offence,  forfeit  and 
'    lose  the  sum  of  L.  50. 

And  for  the  better  preventing  the  elan- 
destine  making  of  soap,  without  payment 
of  the  duties  for  the  same  ;  be  it  fur- 
ther enacted,  by  the  authority  aforesaid, 
That  from  and  after  the  said  §Oth  day  of 
September  1784^  it  shall  be  lawful  for  any 
officer  or  officers  of  Excise  to  take  an  ac- 


128 


count  from  time  to  time,  as  often  as  he  or 
they  shall  think  fit,  by  gauging,  weighing, 
or  otherwise,  as  to  him  or  them  shall  seem 
most  proper  and  convenient,  of  all  tallow; 
oil,  rosin,  and  grease  of  every  kind,  and  of 
all  materials  for  making  soap,  which  any 
maker  of  soap  shall  at  any  time  have  in  his 
possession  ;  and  such  maker  of  soap  shall 
provide  proper  scales  and  weights,  and  assist 
the  officer  in  weighing  and  taking  such  ac- 
count,  on  pain  of  forfeiting  L.  20  :  And  in 
case  such  officer  shall  find  any  decrease  of 
any  such  materials  for  making  soap,  and 
shall  not  receive  a  satisfactory  account  there- 
of, such  officer  shall  charge  such  maker  of 
soap  v/ith  duties  for  such  decrease,  accord- 
ing to  the  rates  and  proportions  following, 
(that  is  to  say)  ; 

For  every  fourteen  hundred  weight,  or 
two  hundred  and  ten  gallons  of  oil,  so  miss- 
ing, such  officer  shall  charge  any  maker  of 


129 

hard  soap  with  the  duties  on  twenty  hun- 
dred weight  of  hard  soap  : 

For  every  thirteen  hundred  weight  of  ren- 
dered tallow  so  missing,  such  officer  shall 
charge  any  maker  of  hard  soap  with  the  du- 
ties on  twenty  hundred  weight  of  such  soap  : 

For  every  thirteen  hundred  weight  and 
two  quarters  of  kitchen-stuff  and  tallow  so 
missing,  such  officer  shall  charge  any  maker 
of  hard  soap  with  the  duties  on  twenty 
hundred  weight  of  such  soap  ; 

For  every  fourteen  hundred  weight  of 
tallow,  rosin,  and  oil,  so  missing,  such  offi- 
cer shall  charge  any  maker  of  yellow,  brown, 
or  rosin  soap,  with  the  duties  on  twenty 
hundred  weight  of  such  soap. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid.  That  every  maker  and 
makers  of  soap,  before  he,  she,  or  they  shall 
charge  his,  her,  or  their  copper  or  boiler 
with  any  materials  for  making  of  soap,  shall 


130 

give  to  the  officer  of  the  division  or  place 
where  such  soap  is  intended  to  be  made, 
notice  in  writing  of  the  particular  time  and 
hour  when  such  maker  of  soap  intends  to 
charge  his  or  their  copper  or  boiler,  as 
herein-^after  mentioned  ;  (that  is  to  say)  If 
such  soap  is  intended  to  be  made,  at  any 
place  within  the  limits  of  the  head  office  of 
Excise  in  London,  then  such  notice  shall 
be  by  the  space  of  twelve  hours  next  before 
the  time  of  charging  such  copper  or  boiler ; 
and  if  such  soap  is  intended  to  be  made  at 
any  other  place,  cut  of  the  limits  aforesaid, 
then  such  notice  shall  be  by  the  space  of 
twenty-four  hours  next  before  the  tim^e  of 
charging  such  copper  or  boiler  ;  on  pain  of 
forfeiting  and  losing  the  sum  of  L.  100  at 
every  time  when  any  maker  of  soap  shall 
begin  to  charge  his  or  her  copper  or  boiler 
without  first  giving  such  notice  as  aforesaid  : 
And  if  such  maker  of  soap  shall  not  begin 


131 


to  charge  his  or  her  copper  or  boiler  within 
the  space  of  three  hours  next  after  the  par- 
ticular titne  or  hour  mentioned  in  such  no- 
tice, then  such  notice  shall  be  void  ;  and 
every  maker  of  soap  who,  after  the  expira- 
tion of  the  said  time,  shall  begin  to  charge 
his  or  her  copper  or  boiler,  without  having 
first  given  a  new  or  other  like  notice  as  a- 
foresaid,  shall  forfeit  and  lose  the  sum  of 
L,  WO. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  autho- 
rity aforesaid,  Tliat  every  maker  of  soap 
shall,  before  charging  his  or  her  copper 
or  boiler  with  any  materials  for  making 
of  soap,  weigh,  in  the  presence  of  the  offi- 
cer, all  the  rosin,  tallow,  grease,  or  other 
materials,  with  which  such  maker  of  soap 
inlends  to  charge  his  or  her  copper  or  boiler, 
and  all  such  rosin,  tallow,  grease,  or  other 
materials,  shall  be  put  into  the  copper  or 
boiler  in  the  presence  of  the  officer;  and 


132 


in  case  the  quantity  of  hard  soap,  after- 
wards produced  therefrom,  shall  be  found 
by  the  gauge  in  the  frames  to  be  less  than 
ought  to  have  been  produced  according  to 
the  rates  and  proportions  herein  before  men- 
tioned, then  the  deficiency  therein  shall  be 
charged  with  the  duties  thereupon,  accord- 
ing to  the  rates  and  proportions  herein  be- 
fore mentioned :  Provided  always.  That  if 
any  maker  of  soap  shall  have  charged  the 
copper  or  boiler  with  rough  fat  or  rough 
kitchen  grease,  then  eight  pounds  of  rough 
fat  shall  be  deemed  equal  to  seven  pounds 
of  tallow,  and  five  pounds  of  rough  kitchen 
grease  shall  be  deemed  equal  to  four  pounds 
of  clean  kitchen  grease. 

And  be  it  further  enacted,  by  the  au- 
thority aforesaid,  That  no  maker  or  makers 
of  hard  soap  shall,  after  the  20th  day  of 
September  1734,  sell  any  hard  soap  but  in 
the  shape  or  form  of  cakes  or  bars,  or  what 


133 


is  commonly  called  or  known  by  the  name 
of  ball-soap ;  and  that  all  scraps  and  parings 
of  hard  soap  shall  be  returned  into  the  cop- 
per or  boiler,  in  the  presence  of  the  officer, 
immediately  after  the  soap  that  has  been 
put  into  the  frames  from  any  one  boiling 
shall  have  been  cut  up  for  sale;  on  pain 
that  every  maker  of  hard  soap,  selHng  any 
such  hard  soap  in  any  other  form  than  as 
aforesaid,  or  not  returning  all  scraps  or 
parings  of  hard  soap  into  the  copper  or 
boiler,  in  the  presence  of  the  officer,  im- 
mediately, as  aforesaid,  shall  forfeit  the  sujn 
of  I/,  100  for  each  offence. 


FINIS, 


S  O  A  P  M  A  K  I  N  G. 

It  is  customary  with  house  k^.epers  as  well 
as  professed  soap-boilers,  to  mix  lime  with 
their  ashes  previous  to  drawing  of  the  ley. 
The  consideration  of  the  office  .^hich  is  pei^l 
formed  by  the  hme,  viz.  that  of  abstr^fcting; 
the  fixed  air,  which  Would  otherwise  prevent 
the  union  of  flu  and  leyi  has  sui^gested  the 
following  experiment,  which  has  proved  satis- 
factory. 

To  a  large  kettle  of  ley,  while  on  the  fire, 
was  added  a  quaner  of  a  peck  of  quick  h'me  ; 
this  was  stirred  until  the  whole  was  near  boil- 
inp;,  and  then  poured  into  tubs  to  settle.  The 
fat  being  now  set  over  tlie  fire  and  melted, 
the  clear  ley  was  gTadually  added,  when  an 
almost  instantaneous  union  took  place  :  the 
result  of  which  was  a  soap  of  the  finest  qua- 
lity.. The  whole  process  occupied  «bout  two 
hours. 

N.  B^'^l^yj^upposed  that  soa[ny«|^le  with 
the  J^reatesWfc^^s  the 
moon.    A  'muTtlfcj^ipiej]  authentiqited 

facts  renders  it  ^^^^^at  the  inCuence  of 

le  sinking;  of 
Doe's  not 
'ifivestiga- 


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